South Park knocks Scotties from Class AAA playoffs
McKEESPORT — Southmoreland’s boys basketball team spurted to a quick 6-0 lead to open its WPIAL Class AAA preliminary round playoff game Friday night at McKeesport, but after that it was all South Park.
Behind Tom Bigely’s 26 points and Dante DaBaldo’s 21, the Eagles rolled to a 62-39 win and the right to face top seed South Fayette Tuesday night with site and venue to be announced.
After the early lead, South Park’s press and defensive pressure took their toll on the Scotties, who finish their season with a 10-12 record.
Extended scoring droughts did in the Scotties, 4:10 in the first quarter, 3:57 in the second, and only two points in the first 5:42 of the third period.
“Their press bothered us,” Southmoreland coach Frank Muccino said, “but even when we beat it, their pressure forced us out of our game. They forced us into a helter-skelter offense and never permitted us to get into any offensive flow.”
When Southmoreland’s Cody Hawkins hit a three-pointer and Connor McKlveen scored on a fast break with 16 seconds left in the opening period, the Scotties appeared to gather some momentum, but the Eagles’ pressure and solid inside game began to take their toll in the second quarter. South Park (13-10) outscored the Scotties 18-10 in the second period to take a 26-19 lead into the lockerroom.
After Tommy Szatkowski’s driving layup at 4:06 of the second quarter, Southmoreland’s next seven trips down court resulted in one missed shot and six turnovers.
South Park’s lead grew to 40-25 after three quarters and the Eagles finished with a 23-point fourth period.
“Their pressure caused us to lose our poise and led to our turnovers,” Muccino added. “We missed some point-blank shots to open the third period and that may have caused us to press a little offensively. Plus, we didn’t have anyone to handle no. 20 (DaBaldo) in the middle. Of his 10 field goals, I don’t think he took a shot from beyond two feet. He was too much muscle for us and when we focused on him, that opened the middle for no. 15 (Bigley).”
In spite of the loss and the early playoff exit, Muccino was quick to spot that silver lining.
“Part of our inability to handle the pressure was the result of our inexperience,” he said. “We only had one returning player with any extensive varsity experience and we had no seniors on our roster, so our juniors and underclassmen got considerable experience this year. While our goal at the beginning of the season was to make the playoffs, I honestly did not expect to be here. We had key people out for extended periods, but this team exceeded my expectations. I’m proud of what this team accomplished and that’s what I told them after the game. We’ve taken some big steps this season. It’s rewarding for the players to see their hard work and effort paying off in making the playoffs, but I explained that nothing is going to come easy next year. We’ll have to work that much harder to get back to the playoffs.”
Szatkowski led Southmoreland with 19 points, while McKlveen added 11.