Sharp-shooting Cheswick Christian Academy wins back-to-back SWCAC titles

By: Antonio Rossetti
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 9:21 PM

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The Cheswick Christian Academy boys captured their second consecutive Southwestern Christian Athletic Conference basketball title Saturday with a 64-36 victory over Pittsburgh Christian Academy.

It was CCA’s third straight trip to the title game and second time in a row playing the River Hawks for the championship.

Joseph Rosio and Brady Rochkind took home league co-MVP honors, the first time the award was shared. Rosio tallied 16 points, five assists and eight steals. Rochkind had 17 points and seven rebounds.

“It’s really special to do it with my best friend,” Rochkind said. “We’ve both had incredible seasons. I cannot be more proud.”

The Chargers’ fully charged defense led to their victory. Cheswick forced 22 turnovers.

“Our defense is something we take pride in,” Rosio said. “We’ve been working on it as a team, just trying to get better at it. We just force turnovers and run the floor.”

Rochkind had two blocks, Markiese Johnson recorded three and Keith Booth had two. Booth finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

The Chargers held a 22-16 lead going into the second quarter. Nonetheless, the River Hawks went on a 9-0 run that started in the first quarter and took a 23-22 lead in the second.

Rochkind and Rosio sparked the offense yet again, and the Chargers went on a 15-0 run.

The Chargers kept the lead the rest of the game.

Cheswick led 37-25 at halftime before another 15-0 run to start the third quarter.

PCA got its first bucket of the half from Joe Sebelia with under a minute left in the third. The Chargers outscored the River Hawks 19-4 in the quarter.

“We wanted to come out and press because we felt like we had the more experienced team in this game, having won it last year,” coach Todd Rosio said. “They had a whole new starting five, and we thought if we pressed early, we might get a little bit of jitters from them. They might turn the ball over, and it worked to plan. We came out and got that lead. To their credit, they came roaring back and almost evened up the game once they settled in. But then the third quarter, we kind of broke them.”

Cheswick started the game hot, going on a 7-0 run to start.

Cheswick buried nine 3-pointers throughout the game, seven in the first half.

“We can shoot it,” coach Rosio said. “We have a drill we do every practice called five minutes of threes and we have a big guy, Keith Booth, that can shoot it, two guards that can shoot it, and some some reserve players that can shoot it.”

Nazareth Weaver and Rosio hit two 3s and Rochkind made one. Hayden Kamer assisted the majority of those as he had four out of 16 team assists.

Seven of their 3-pointers came in the first half, three coming from Booth as he led the team with four from beyond the arc.

“We were just on today,” Booth said. “Nothing could stop us. From the tip, we hit two 3s to start. We missed a couple, but then just kept trusting our shots.”

“We trust our team to shoot the ball,” Rochkind added. “All of our teammates can get it in the hoop. I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates.”

Booth talked about the team staying consistent and how they were capable on going on multiple 15-0 runs.

“We just keep playing no matter what happens,” Booth said. “Whether it’s a foul or a missed shot, we just keep playing. Every possession matters in games.”

As for the River Hawks, they were led by Finn Bradley, who notched 17 points and nine rebounds, and Knox Bradley, who put up six points, nine rebounds and six blocks.

The gym was a packed house. The Chargers were grateful for the turnout.

“I love how half of our school showed up for this game,” Joseph Rosio said. “It shows how much support they have for our school.”

Coach Rosio believes this team is special.

“I’m so proud,” he said. “I’m super excited to do this with my son, most of all. But all of these guys, it’s great. They’re like brothers with each other. They’ve been in it to win it since practice one, and it’s just a great feeling to do this with them. It’s been super.”

Tags: Cheswick Christian