Red Raiders win 49th section championship in program history
Jonathan Guth | 缅北禁地
Uniontown鈥檚 Billy DeShields and Ringgold鈥檚 Chris Peccon battle for a rebound off a missed foul shot during Tuesday鈥檚 Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium. DeShields scored a game-high 22 points in the Red Raiders鈥� 70-51 victory. Uniontown clinched its 49th section championship with the win. Peccon had 16 points for the Rams.
Uniontown's Jahmere Richardson drives to the basket while being guarded by Ringgold's Nate Pajak in Tuesday's Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium. Richardson scored 17 points.
Jonathan Guth | 缅北禁地
Uniontown鈥檚 Isaiah Melvin stretches his arms in front of Ringgold鈥檚 Deondre Dotson in Tuesday鈥檚 Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Ringgold's Chris Peccon is about to pass while being defended by Uniontown's Isaiah Melvin in Tuesday's Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Ringgold's Chris Peccon and Uniontown's Ray Robinson watch to see if Peccon's jump shot goes down in Tuesday's Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Jonathan Guth | 缅北禁地
Uniontown鈥檚 Billy DeShields puts up a jump shot while being defended by Nick (left) and Chris Peccon in Tuesday鈥檚 Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Uniontown's Billy DeShields is about to release a jump shot while being guarded by Ringgold's Nick (left) and Chris Peccon in Tuesday's Section 3-AAAA game at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Uniontown head coach Rob Kemarsky speaks with the Red Raiders' starting lineup prior to the introductions on Tuesday in Section 3-AAAA action against Ringgold at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
Uniontown won its second straight section championship, and WPIAL-leading 49th overall, following a 70-51 victory over Ringgold on Tuesday in Section 3-AAAA action at AJ Everhart Memorial Gymnasium.
The program has three more section titles in District 7 than Monessen and Washington. The Greyhounds can do no better than second place in Section 2-A this season, while the Prexies are in a battle with Charleroi for the Section 4-AAA crown. The Red Raiders (8-0, 16-1) had already qualified for the postseason prior to playing the Rams, which is the program鈥檚 69th appearance in the playoffs.
鈥淥ur kids weren鈥檛 jumping up and down, but they take pride in winning the section,鈥� said Uniontown head coach Rob Kezmarsky, who has guided the Red Raiders to 10 section championships. 鈥淲e do have higher expectations, but that鈥檚 what they want. There have been eight WPIAL Championship teams here, and these kids would give everything to be the ninth. This is a great group of kids, and this is their 19th section win in a row.鈥�
Uniontown鈥檚 Billy DeShields scored a game-high 22 points on eight field goals, including two 3-pointers, and made four free throws. The senior guard has 1,230 points in his career for sixth on the program鈥檚 all-time scoring list. DeShields is 14 points from tying Dierre Jenkins, who is now an assistant coach at Laurel Highlands.
鈥淏illy played really well tonight,鈥� Kezmarsky said. 鈥淗e had to have at least 10 assists, so he probably accounted for about 30 of our points.鈥�
The Red Raiders鈥� Isaiah Melvin had 16 points on eight field goals, and also pulled down 15 rebounds for a double-double.
Melvin is glad that he helped the Red Raiders to their second section title in as many years, but the senior and his teammates have their eyes on bigger and better things.
鈥淲e are definitely pleased with our performance tonight,鈥� Melvin said. 鈥淚t was nice to win and secure the section. It is a piece of the puzzle. We want to get that and move on to our next game. It was also nice to go down to Pittsburgh on Sunday and get a win. Hopefully, that helps us in the ratings.鈥�
Jahmere Richardson had 17 points on seven field goals (two 3-pointers) and one free throw. He also had a dunk. Melvin had two slams, including one right out of the gate.
鈥淭he dunks are fun for the crowd, but we just want to do whatever we can to win,鈥� Melvin said. 鈥淚t gets everyone pumped up.鈥�
Uniontown never trailed as it jumped on the visitors early and had a 21-11 lead after the first quarter. The Red Raiders made three 3-pointers in the opening period. The Rams also got into foul trouble in the first.
鈥淭hey go on those runs and you can鈥檛 play them when you have two of your starters on the bench in the first quarter with three fouls,鈥� Ringgold coach Phil Pergola said. 鈥淭hey beat us by 19, but it wasn鈥檛 a 19-point game.
鈥淯niontown is Uniontown. You know what you are going to get when you play Uniontown. You are playing against their quickness, their speed. What can you say? I have been around this game for 50 years, and they have been the same every year, even when I was in high school.鈥�
Ringgold (4-4, 11-7) battled back and outscored the home team, 14-12, in the second, but the Red Raiders had a 33-25 advantage at the half.
Uniontown had a 14-11 edge in the third to extend its lead to 47-36 heading into the fourth.
The Red Raiders outscored Ringgold, 23-15, in the final period, as Melvin and Richardson scored four points apiece in the frame.
Uniontown鈥檚 unsung hero, Bryant Grady, had seven points on three field goals and one free throw, and pulled down 11 rebounds.
鈥淏ryant had a really good game tonight,鈥� Kezmarsky said. 鈥淗e dominated inside.鈥�
The Rams鈥� Luke Wyvratt had 18 points on seven field goals and four free throws. He also had 15 rebounds for a double-double. Teammate Chris Peccon added 16 points on seven field goals (one 3-pointers) and one free throw.
Ringgold has qualified for the postseason despite the setback. The Rams host Belle Vernon (6-2, 14-5) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
鈥淲e have Belle Vernon on Friday, and we鈥檒l see what happens,鈥� Pergola said. 鈥淲e are playing them at home, and that is always better.鈥�
The Red Raiders have section games remaining at Elizabeth Forward on Friday before hosting Waynesburg Central next Tuesday. Uniontown also plays the Mustangs and Greensburg Salem to finish the regular season.
鈥淭hese kids have played a lot of basketball games in the last week,鈥� Kezmarsky said. 鈥淚 mean, I鈥檓 tired. We want to finish out strong.鈥�