Local roundup: McKeesport rallies past Mustangs, 63-58
Brian Jones scored 22 points and McKeesport rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat visiting Laurel Highlands, 63-58, in the Section 1-AAAAA opener for both teams in boys basketball action Friday night.
The Mustangs (0-1, 2-3) trailed 12-10 after the first quarter but used a 22-10 advantage in the second to surge to a 32-22 lead at intermission. The Tigers (1-0, 2-4) cut the gap to 52-45 after three quarters then outscored LH 18-6 in the final frame to claim the win.
Antwan Black rang up a game-high 26 points in defeat for Laurel Highlands which also got 12 points from Luke Martin and 10 from Aiden Black.
Darryl McCullough added 13 points for McKeesport.
Belle Vernon 92, West Mifflin 82 – Zion Moore hit six 3-pointers while pouring in 40 points and also had seven assists as the Leopards topped the visiting Titans in a Section 3-AAAA shootout.
Belle Vernon led 25-17, 44-40 and 70-58 at the quarter breaks.
Curtis Wade had 14 points, Tommy Davis contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots, and Dominic Ghilani totaled 10 points, 10 boards and two blocks for the Leopards (1-0, 4-2).
Daven Reynolds racked up 34 points for West Mifflin (0-1, 0-7) which also got 24 points from Jose Perez and 11 from Julian Dewberry.
Beth-Center 55, Mapletown 19 – The Bulldogs outscored the host Maples 19-0 in the first quarter on their way to victory in the Section 3-AA opener for both teams.
Jason Zellie led the way for Beth-Center (1-0, 3-2) by matching Mapletown’s total for the game with 19 points. Brayden Hull and Tyler Korowski each had eight points for B-C.
Lucas Stevenson had seven points for the Maples (0-1, 0-4).
Jefferson-Morgan 66, Burgettstown 44 – Houston Guesman tallied a game-high 19 points as the host Rockets triumphed over the Blue Devils in the Section 3-AA opener for both teams.
Jase Bedillion tossed in 16 points for Jefferson-Morgan (1-0, 3-2) which took control in the first quarter by outscoring Burgettstown 23-9.
The Rockets led 38-25 at halftime and 53-35 after three quarters.
Colton County and Parker Rommes led the Blue Devils (0-1, 1-3) with 15 and 11 points.
Ligonier Valley 72, Geibel Catholic 57 – Parker Hollick scored 20 points and Michael Wisniewski added 19 as Ligonier Valley (3-2) beat the visiting Gators in a non-section game.
Evan Strimel led Geibel (3-2) with 20 points and Seth Dolan followed with 12.
Michael Vargulish-Graver had 13 points for Ligonier Valley.
Norwin 64, Connellsville 47 – Stefano Giannikas tossed in 18 points as the Knights put four players in double figures in a Section 2-AAAAAA win over the host Falcons.
Nathan Kuch (12), Alex Gracey (11) and Mario Csukas (11) also hit double digits for Norwin (1-0, 3-2).
The Falcons (0-1, 2-3) were paced by Rocco Farrell with a game-high 22 points.
Jeannette 76, California 43 – Jayce Powell’s 22 points led the way in the Jayhawks’ Section 1-AA win over the visiting Trojans.
Noah Sunder and Stone Markham added 12 and 11 points for Jeannette (1-0, 4-0).
Vinny Manzella paced California (0-1, 1-3) with 15 points, Jacob Ziolecki followed with 14 and Caden Monticelli grabbed seven rebounds.
Aquinas Academy 94, Waynesburg Central 67 – Jake Guillen went over the 1,000-point mark of his career with 29 points and Aquinas outscored the Raiders 32-11 in the fourth quarter to break open a close game in non-section action.
Sam Duer followed close behind with 28 points and David Zaharko had 12 for Aquinas (5-1).
The score was tied 15-15 after one quarter and Aquinas led 41-32 at halftime and 62-56 after three.
Waynesburg (0-5) put four players in double figures in scoring, led by Cole Headlee who totaled 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. The Raiders also got 14 points and 10 rebounds from Dane Woods, 14 points, eight assists and five rebounds from Austin Surber and 10 points and 11 boards from Alex Eck.
Greensburg Central Catholic 90, Frazier 45 – Liam Gallagher scored 15 points and Brandon Martin, AJ Tarpley and Maddox Mignogna added 14 apiece as the unbeaten Centurions (1-0, 5-0) cruised past the visiting Commodores in a Section 1-AA game.
Conlan Higbee led Frazier (0-1, 2-4) with 14 points and Dailan McManus and Brant Alekson each tallied 10 points.
Monessen 61, Charleroi 38 – The Greyhounds gradually pulled away from the visiting Cougars in a non-section matchup of nearby rivals.
Monessen (2-1) led 12-5, 19-7 and 42-22 at the quarter breaks.
Torrance Taylor led the Greyhounds with 17 points and Rodney Johnson added 14.
Brock Henderson scored a game-high 20 points for Charleroi (3-3).
Girls basketball
Morgantown 55, Laurel Highlands 53 – Kayli Kellogg rang up a game-high 26 points and the Mohigans outscored the visiting Lady Mustangs 15-4 in the fourth quarter to strom back for a non-section victory.
Sadaya Jones added 17 points for Morgantown (4-0).
The Mohigans led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter but Laurel Highlands (3-2) outscored the hosts 36-26 in the middle two quarters to build a 49-40 advantage heading into the final frame.
Morgantown’s defense helped it hold onto the lead at the end as it denied the Lady Mustangs from scoring on their final three possessions.
Aryianna Sumpter was Laurel Highlands’ top scorer with 20 points, including 18 in the first half, but left the game early in the third quarter due to an injury. Aierra Jenkins added 11 and Miya Harris chipped in with nine.
Connellsville 49, Burrell 41 – Maggie Orndorff scored 13 points and the visiting Lady Falcons handed Burrell its first loss of the season in a non-section game.
Elizabeth Painter added 11 points for Connellsville (2-5).
Julie Fisher led all scorers with 22 points for Burrell (5-1).
McGuffey 57, Southmoreland 24 – Taylor Schumacher scored 25 points as the Lady Highlanders rolled past the host Lady Scotties (2-5) in a non-section game.
Lexi Ewig contributed 11 points for McGuffey (4-1).