Jan 26, 2003 By Pete Riddell For The 4 min read

CANONSBURG – Rick Bell is more than a glass-half-full-type of coach. When his glass is half full, he just pours it into a smaller one and makes that glass full.

As an example, he’s got Canon-McMillan’s 5-15 boys basketball team thinking playoffs.

The Big Macs improved to a respectable 4-4 in Section 2-AAAA Friday night with an 81-63 win over Albert Gallatin. The victory, the Big Macs’ first in the section at home, keeps them as alive as anyone for the section’s third playoff berth with four big games remaining.

Keep in mind, this was the team whose fortunes everyone figured evaporated when 6-5 senior forward Justin Moore tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during practice Nov. 27. Moore, an expected Division I prospect prior to the injury, had surgery and is out for the season.

All Bell’s done since then is taken a team left with no returning starters from a year ago, and coaxed section road wins at Albert Gallatin, Ringgold and Laurel Highlands.

Never has 5-15 looked so good.

“It’s not what you do in the exhibition season that counts,” said Bell, in his second year at Canon-McMillan after a successful stint at Peters Township. “It’s what you do in your league.”

His team has emerged undaunted from a 1-11 exhibition gauntlet against teams such as Mt. Lebanon, New Castle, Blackhawk, Altoona.

“Our number-one goal this season was to make the playoffs,” said 5-11 junior guard Mike Lipinsky, who had a career night at the Colonials’ expense with 26 points, including six three-pointers. “That’s been our focus, even after Justin went down.”

Lipinsky is just one of 10 Big Mac players who have reached double-figures in a game this season.

“Without Justin, we don’t have one guy we can rely on,” said Bell, who missed the playoffs by one game last year in his first season at Canon-McMillan. “We have to rely on everyone collectively.”

Lipinsky’s third three-pointer in the first quarter, with :24 left, gave the Big Macs the lead for good, 19-17. The Colonials (0-8, 2-16) hung tough through one period sparked by sophomore Jared Lint, who hit two three-pointers of his own, and eight of his 12 points in the first.

But in the second quarter Canon-McMillan received a boost from Matt Clemons, who came off the bench to score eight straight points to stretch the lead to 27-17 and expose the Colonials’ soft interior defense.

Things would only get worse for Albert Gallatin in the third quarter, as Canon-McMillan seemingly scored at will. The Big Macs hit 11 of their 18 shots, capped off by Lipinsky’s trey at the buzzer that made it 63-40. The lead swelled to as much as 32 in the fourth.

“Some of our young guys melted down tonight,” said Colonials coach Dan Andria. “Sophomores and freshmen will do that on you. (Canon-McMillan) shot the lights out in the first half, and in the second half were driving right by us. It was pick your poison.”

For AG, senior Chris Moore nearly approached his 16.8 ppg average with 15 hard-earned points. Seven of those came in the fourth quarter as the Colonials fought to make things respectable.

“I did like the way they didn’t quit in the fourth quarter,” said Andria, searching for positives. “It shows they have some respect for what we’re trying to do.”

Bell took notice as well.

“They’re in a similar situation to us, struggling a little bit … a lot,” said Bell. “But they never quit, never gave up. They were down by 30 tonight, and (Moore) was out there putting pressure on the ball. I have a lot of respect for them.”

Junior Craig Hriblan added 12 for AG. Clemons finished with 14 for Canon-McMillan.