Southmoreland playoffs preview

By: Doug Gulasy
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | 2:20 PM

No. 6 Southmoreland (18-5) vs. No. 3 Blackhawk (18-4)

8 p.m. Thursday at Moon

Winner plays: Winner of No. 7 McKeesport (13-8)/No. 2 Central Valley (20-1) Monday in semifinals

Coaches: Brian Pritts, Southmoreland; Steve Lodovico, Blackhawk

Points scored/allowed: Southmoreland, 47.7/35.8; 70.1/48.1

Players to watch: Bailey Kuhns, Fr., F, Southmoreland; Mackenzie Amalia, So., G, Blackhawk

Last playoff appearance: Southmoreland, 2008, (lost to West Mifflin, 48-19, in first round); Blackhawk, 2018 (lost to Beaver, 53-40, in semifinals)

About Southmoreland: The Scotties had a breakthrough win in the first round after a nine-year playoff hiatus but had to earn it. They edged Apollo-Ridge, 40-37, as freshman Bailey Kuhns scored 13 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked a late shot for Southmoreland, which had not won a playoff game since 2008.

About Blackhawk: The perennially strong Cougars start tournament play after a first-round bye. Amalia and junior Mady Aulbach help the team speed up opponents, which could cause issues for Southmoreland. Both players can handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter. Aulbach is headed to Youngstown State. Amalia was offered by Duquesne as a seventh-grader.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. You can contact Doug at 412-388-5830, dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter .