Local roundup
Salandra scores 29 as Connellsville girls defeat Brownsville Christine Salandra nearly outscored visiting Brownsville by herself Monday night with 29 points as Connellsville won the battle of Lady Falcons, 62-35, in a non-section contest. The senior guard hit four 3-pointers to lead the Connellsville offensive attack.
Connellsville wasted little time, building a 10-point lead in the first quarter. Brownsville shaved five points off the deficit in the second quarter, but Connellsville pulled away in the third quarter and finished the job by allowing only five points in the fourth quarter.
Ashley Benzio scored eight points for Connellsville (8-8) while Shannon Kovack added seven.
Gina Pelehac led Brownsville (4-12) with 13 points.
Carmichaels 45, Beth-Center 36 – Autumn Willis scored a game-high 20 points as Carmichaels (12-1) remained undefeated in non-section action.
The Lady Mikes exploded for 19 points in the second quarter and held Beth-Center to just six points.
Brittany Cole led Beth-Center (5-11) with nine points on three field goals and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line.
Carmichaels will travel to Waynesburg Central today. Beth-Center will host Brownsville on Thursday.
Waynesburg Central 50, Jefferson-Morgan 27 – Jefferson-Morgan led by one point at the end of the first quarter, but was outscored 39-15 in the final three quarters as the Lady Raiders rolled to the easy non-section game win.
Erica Keller and Cigi Wright combined for 30 points as the Lady Raiders bettered their record to 9-6.
Shanna Yourchik was the high scorer for J-M with 12 points.
Waynesburg and Jefferson-Morgan will both be on the road Wednesday. The Lady Raiders travel to Carmichaels while Jefferson-Morgan goes to Monessen.
Norwin 54, Laurel Highlands 50 – The Lady Knights built a seven-point lead after three quarters, then fended off the visiting Fillies for a non-section win.
Lauren Mahoney led LH (11-6) with 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Kayla Ashton added 11.
Pam DeGuffroy scored 14 for Norwin (13-1) while Michelle George finished with 12.
Boys basketball
Mapletown 60, Chartiers-Houston 48 – The second and fourth quarters were the difference for the Maples for a non-section home victory. Mapletown outscored the Bucs by five in the second quarter and six in the third.
Drew Denham recorded his second triple-double in as many games for Mapletown (10-3) with 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 12 rebounds. Joe Clites and Joe Kovach both added 11 points to the winning effort. Brendan Cypher scored 18 for Chartiers-Houston while Andy McIlvaine added 10.
Brownsville 76, Jefferson-Morgan 51 – The Falcons built a 13-point lead in the first quarter and never stopped for a home non-section win. Brownsville outscored the Rockets in all four quarters.
Five players were in double figures for Brownsville (7-8) with Brian Gates leading the way with 13 points. Corey Watkins had 11 while John Marshall, Paul Hlatky and Carson Thomas all had 10.
Vince Kraft was the only Rocket in double figures with 13 points.
Frazier 55, Charleroi 46 – The Commodores rallied from behind in the fourth quarter for a non-section home victory. Frazier (5-10) trailed 27-21 at halftime and 36-35 after three quarters.
Riely Tidholm led Frazier with 16 points. Jared Russell and Ryan Keebler both scored 10.
Alex Kartley scored 12 for the Cougars with Greg Tilli and Luke Kovulchak adding 10 apiece.
Women’s basketball
Bethany (W.Va.) 66, Juniata 41 – Kelley Richardson scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bison to a non-conference home victory. Katie Hardie had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Carmichaels graduate Kristen Judy was held scoreless in a reserve role.
Men’s basketball
Waynesburg 72, Penn State-Altoona 68 – The Yellow Jackets ran their winning streak to five games, defeating Penn State-Altoona for the second time in less than a week. Trailing 32-26 at the half, Waynesburg rallied in the second half for a non-conference road victory.
Uniontown’s Ray Robinson lit up the home team with 26 points, making 10-of-25 from the field and 4-of-13 from 3-point range. He also grabbed eight rebounds and had three steals.
Beau Henderson scored 15 for the Yellow Jackets (7-4) while Mike King had 11 and Waynesburg Central grad Aaron Ankrom added 10.
Mike Collins led Penn State-Altoona with 19 points. Mark Librizzi had a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
Girls swimming
Laurel Highlands 94, Trinity 92 – The Fillies had a strong effort throughout their lineup to open the Section 5-AAA schedule with a win at home.
Senior captain Sara Bonchosky led the way with a wins in the 200 freestyle (2:03.93) and 100 butterfly (1:02.86) as well as anchoring the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Therese Reilly won the 50 freestyle (26.59) and was also on the freestyle relay teams. Keri Smiell was on the relay teams in addition to winning the 100 freestyle (57.48) in a WPIAL qualifying time.
“There were so many places we nipped and tucked,” Laurel Highlands coach Ed Yauger said. “It was a little bit of everything. It was a great meet. The girls were excited.”
Laurel Highlands, 1-0 in the section, improves to 8-1 overall.
The Fillies travel to Peters Township on Thursday for a big section meet.
Boys swimming
Laurel Highlands 107, Trinity 61 – The Mustangs dominated, winning all of the events except for diving to open the Section 5-AAA schedule with a home victory.
Senior co-captains Will Ashton and Kevin Collins had strong performances before the Senior Night crowd. Ashton won the 200 freestyle (2:04.22) and swam on the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Kevin Collins anchored the 200 medley relay team.
Other individual event winners included Adam Collins (200 individual medley, 100 backstroke), Jim Tesauro (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle), Dustin Stalnaker (100 butterfly), Eric Wang (500 freestyle) and Ziggy Parker (100 breaststroke).