WPIAL playoffs roundup for Feb. 20: McKeesport boys earn opening-round win

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 | 10:42 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

McKeesport will get to play in WPIAL boys basketball quarterfinals Friday, but they had to pass a test before finalizing their spot in the Class 5A Elite 8.

Deamonte Diggs had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Tigers to a 61-42 win over No. 13 Armstrong in a first-round game at Gateway.

The WPIAL playoff pairings initially had the fourth-seeded Tigers with a bye in the first round before it was discovered Armstrong was accidentally left off the bracket. The River Hawks (8-15) were then paired with McKeesport in an opening-round game.

Tobias Green added 11 points and 15 rebounds for McKeesport (15-8).

Moon 59, Albert Gallatin 44 — Austin Ryan had 16 points and Connor Ryan added 15 to lift No. 6 Moon (18-5) to a Class 5A first-round win at Baldwin. Brady Sunday added 10 points for the Tigers, who will play No. 3 Franklin Regional (18-4) in the quarterfinals Friday..

Joey English had 11 points for No. 11 Albert Gallatin (12-11).

Trinity 61, Greensburg Salem 52 — At Peters Township, the Hillers outscored the Golden Lions, 15-5, in the final two minutes to pull out a WPIAL Class 5A first-round victory. Joey Koroly scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to pace Trinity (19-4). Dylan Kern had 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Marvel McGowan had a game-high 29 points for Greensburg Salem (12-11).

West Allegheny 63, Laurel Highlands 54 — At Peters Township, the No. 7 Indians outscored the Mustangs in every quarter and eased to a WPIAL Class 5A first-round win.

Isaiah Crowe scored 20 points and Jackson Faulk had 16 for West Allegheny (11-11), which will play No. 2 Highlands in the quarterfinals Friday. Bryce Laskey led Laurel Highlands with 32 points, 16 in the fourth quarter. Ilisa Salauca had 10 for the Mustangs (14-9).

Chartiers-Houston 50, Neshannock 47 — Cameron Hanley had 18 points and Andrew Clark added 15 for No. 5 Chartiers-Houston (18-5) in a Class 2A first-round win at West Allegheny. The Bucs will play No. 4 Serra Catholic (18-4) in the quarterfinals.

Niko Rylott had 19 points for No. 12 Neshannock (8-15).

Leechburg 62, Fort Cherry 50 — The No. 8 Blue Devils (14-6) won their first playoff game since 2011 with an opening-round Class 2A victory at North Hills. Christian Hack scored 20 points for Leechburg and freshman Dylan Cook came off the bench to add 14.

The No. 9 Rangers (9-14) were led by senior Nate Higham's 21 points.

Leechburg will play No. 1 Sewickley Academy (18-4) in the quarterfinals.

Shenango 64, Frazier 48 — Josh Young had 18 points and Colin McQuiston added 17 as No. 6 Shenango (15-8) won a Class 2A first-round game at West Allegheny.

Brandon Bennett added 13 points for Shenango, which will play No. 3 Jeannette (18-3) in the quarterfinals Friday.

Brandon Lovis had 13 points to lead No. 11 Frazier (9-13).

Springdale 34, California 33 — Michael Zolnierczyk sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to give the No. 10 Dynamos (13-8) the victory in a Class 2A first-round game at Gateway. Zolnierczyk led all scorers with 18 points. Cochise Ryan had a team-best 16 points for the No. 7 Trojans, who played without leading scorer Ben Wilson for undisclosed reasons. Dru Miller added 10 points for California.

Girls basketball

Mt. Lebanon 31, Penn Hills 30 — Mt. Lebanon's Alyssa Hyland hit two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to give No. 5 Mt. Lebanon (12-11) a Class 6A first-round win at Baldwin. Hyland finished with 15 points for the Blue Devils.

Tayonna Robertston had 12 points for No. 12 Penn Hills (13-9). The Indians nearly won the game but their basket came just after the final buzzer.

Upper St. Clair 38, Butler 32 — Anna Groniger had 16 points to guide No. 9 Upper St. Clair (13-9) to a Class 6A first-round win at North Hills. The Panthers will play No. 1 North Allegheny (22-0) on Friday at a time and site to be determined.

Alyssa Eyth had 15 points for No. 8 Butler (13-10).

Tags: Roundup