Local roundup: Macke earns first coaching win as AG tops West Mifflin
Spencer Macke good off to a winning start in his high school coaching career on Friday night.
The first-year Albert Gallatin coach guided the Colonials to a 55-50 non-section win at West Mifflin.
Macke, who took over the reins from longtime AG coach Shea Fleenor, was happy to get both the first game and first win under his belt.
“It’s a whole different staff so it’s a big undertaking for the players and the coaches as well,” Macke said. “It felt good to get that first win. The first game was a good learning experience for us. I think playing in a close game helped us grow as a team a little bit.”
The Colonials were led by Jason Jackson with a game-high 23 points with Shymere Wilson and Darrin Ford added eight and seven points, respectively.
Albert Gallatin led 11-10, 27-21 and 41-34 at the quarter breaks.
Daven Reynolds led the Titans with 15 points and Jose Perez followed with 11.
“There were a couple times where we should’ve knocked them out,” Macke said. “We went up by 11 once. We kind of let them back in the game a couple times.
“I’m not completely satisfied. I thought West Mifflin was a good team with a good coaching staff and did a good scouting job on us. They were athletic.
“But we did win and that’s the bottom line of course.”
Avella 62, Frazier 51 – Bryce Wright scored 18 points as the Eagles topped the Commodores in overtime at the McGuffey tournament.
Brayden Fuller had 13 points for Avella (1-1) which also got 11 points from Eli Maidment and 10 from Rylan Bell.
Dallan McManus scored 19 points for Frazier which also got 11 points from Kolby Stewart and 10 from Conlan Higbee.
Ringgold 68, Brownsville 60 – Szyair Dungee scored 18 points in the Rams’ MVI tournament win over the Falcons.
Demetri Lowe followed with 16 points, Demaris Tolliver tallied 12 and Xavion Thomas had 10.
Jaiden Praster tossed in a game-high 21 points for Brownsville which also got 16 points from Preston Rosado and 10 from Max Oeiudonne.
South Allegheny 69, Belle Vernon 58 – Josh Jackowski scored a game-high 27 points and Cam Epps followed with 21 in the Gladiators’ win over the Leopards at the MVI tournament.
Trevor Kovatch and Zion Moore led Belle Vernon with 20 and 19 points, respectively, while Tommy Davis chipped in with 10.
Girls basketball
Belle Vernon 64, Westinghouse 8 – Aubrey Brown and Saylor scored 12 points apiece as the Lady Leopards rolled to a non-section win over Westinghouse on Friday.
Belle Vernon cruised out to a 26-0 in the first quarter and never looked back.
Payton Walsh contributed nine points, six rebounds and three steals for the Lady Leopards who also got nine points from Kaylee Sypolt and seven rebounds from Skylar Salay
Kahliya had three points for Westinghous.
Shady Side Academy 56, Belle Vernon 19 – Karis Thomas scored 18 points and Cassie Sauer added 14 as Shady Side Academy (1-0) beat Belle Vernon in a non-section game Saturday.
Aubrey Brown tallied eight points and four rebounds for the Lady Leopards (1-1).