California wins 28th section game in a row
The visiting Lady Trojans needed to rally in the fourth quarter Monday night to keep their section winning streak alive at 28, and California did just that for a 53-48 victory at West Greene.
California (4-3) improves to 4-0 with its 28th-straight section victory. The Lady Pioneers lost for the first time this season, going to 3-1 in the section and 6-1 overall.
“It’s not easy, not this year. This was a good win on the road,” said California coach Chris Minerd. “It wasn’t our best game, but I’ll take it.”
California led 15-13 after the first quarter and 27-22 at halftime.
West Greene surged into the lead with an 11-5 advantage in the third quarter to set up the frenetic final eight minutes.
The Lady Trojans outscored West Greene in the final quarter, 21-15, for the 5-point victory.
“We led early in the fourth quarter, but they had a run, like a 5-point run,” said West Greene coach Jordan Watson.
Bailey Vig, who had a key steal late in the game, led California with 21 points. Marissa Bitonti had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jenna Miller added 11 points and nine steals, while Destiny Gudel grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lampe sisters once again led the way for West Greene, combining for 37 points. McKenna Lampe finished with a game-high 23 points, while her twin sister Madison added 14.
“We battled them. This is the first close game we’ve played this year,” explained Watson. “We start two freshman and play six freshman. We made a lot of freshman mistakes.
“California made the state playoffs last year. We battled them.”
The Lady Trojans will be hosting a holiday tournament next week, while West Greene is back in action tonight with a road game at Clay-Battelle (W.Va.).
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Jefferson-Morgan 69, Avella 27 – The Jefferson-Morgan girls remained undefeated in Section 3-A play with a 69-27 victory against visiting Avella.
The Lady Rockets improve to 4-0 in the section and 7-1 overall. Avella slips to 1-3 in the section and 2-5 overall.
Jefferson-Morgan led 22-10, 43-14 and 56-25 at the quarter breaks.
Kayla Yorko led the Lady Rockets with a game-high 14. Nikke Venick finished with 13 and Erin Confortini added 12.
Joelle Gossett scored eight for the Lady Eagles.
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South Park 71, Brownsville 47 – The South Park girls led 40-19 at halftime Monday night and cruised through the second half for a 71-47 road victory at Brownsville in Section 4-AAA play.
South Park (3-0, 6-1) also controlled play in the second half with a 30-28 advantage.
Natalie Clydesdale and Allison McGrath shared scoring honors for South Park with a game-high 15 points. Jessica Jones added 14. Eight players scored for South Park.
Maris Seto was the lone player for Brownsville (2-2, 6-2) in double digits with 21 points.
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Thomas Jefferson 42, Belle Vernon 39 – The Thomas Jefferson girls held a 3-point advantage in the second half and that was the final difference Monday night as the Lady Jaguars edged visiting Belle Vernon, 42-39, in Section 4-AAA action.
Belle Vernon (0-3, 2-6) held a 13-9 lead in the first quarter and Thomas Jefferson responded with a 13-9 advantage in the second quarter for a 22-22 halftime tie.
The Lady Jaguars (1-3, 2-5) led by one after the third quarter, 34-33, and held an 8-6 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Kelsey Green led the Lady Leopards with 12 points, including 8-of-8 from the foul line, and 15 rebounds. Caitlyn Trombley added 10.
Thomas Jefferson’s Marina Petruzzi had game-scoring honors with 13 points. Sahaylor Williams added 11.
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Geibel Catholic 43, Mapletown 33 – The visiting Lady Gators pulled away in the third quarter and then held off Mapletown in the final eight minutes Monday night as Geibel Catholic returned home with a 43-33 victory in Section 3-A action.
Geibel Catholic (2-2, 3-4) led 10-9 after the first quarter and 16-15 at halftime before pulling away in the third quarter for a 30-17 lead. The Lady Maples (1-3, 1-7) held a 16-13 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Grace Nowicki scored a game-high 19 points for the Lady Gators. Sidney Anderson added 12.
Abby Antill led the Lady Maples with 12.
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Charleroi 55, Carmichaels 16 – The Lady Cougars’ defense shut out Carmichaels in the second quarter Monday night as Charleroi remained unbeaten with a 55-16 Section 4-AA win against the visiting Lady Mikes.
Charleroi (4-0, 7-0) led 12-4 after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 28-4 at halftime. The Lady Cougars outscored Carmichaels in the second half, 27-12.
Gina Ranieri led the Lady Mikes (2-2, 3-5) with 10 points.
Kaitlyn Riley scored a game-high 15 points for Charleroi. Maria Claybaugh finished with 14 and Kyra Watkins added 11.
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Waynesburg Central 45, Beth-Center 41 – Waynesburg Central controlled the second and fourth quarters Monday night as the Lady Raiders held on for a 45-51 Section 4-AA road victory at Beth-Center.
The Lady Raiders (2-2, 2-4) held a 25-11 advantage in the second and fourth quarters, while the Lady Bulldogs outscored the visitors, 30-20, in the other two quarters.
Rachel Elsenheimer led Waynesburg with 14 points. Morgan McDowell finished with 12 and Kirsten Garber added 11.
Mary Gustovich scored 14 for Beth-Center.
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Albert Gallatin 33, Kiski Area 23 – Albert Gallatin fell behind in the first quarter, but the visiting Lady Colonials rallied in the middle quarters Monday night for a 33-23 Section 1-AAAA victory at Kiski Area.
The Lady Cavaliers (0-4, 1-6) led 8-3 after the first quarters, but Albert Gallatin held a 23-8 advantage over the next 16 minutes to take the lead.
The teams played to a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter.
Anaejah Harris led the Lady Colonials (1-2, 2-5) with a game-high 13 points. Kylee Myers added 11.
Katelynn Brown scored eight for Kiski Area.
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Southmoreland 45, Uniontown 41 – Uniontown led heading into the fourth quarter, 34-28, but visiting Southmoreland rallied for a 45-41 Section 3-AAA victory Monday night.
Southmoreland (2-2, 4-3) led 12-9 after the first quarter, but Uniontown rallied for a 19-18 halftime lead.
The Lady Raiders (0-3, 1-4) extended their advantage to six points through three quarters, but Southmoreland held a 17-7 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Khia Harris scored a game-high 18 points for Uniontown. Arielle Winfrey added 11.
Olivia Porter led the Lady Scots with 16 points. Julea Claycomb added 10.
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Hempfield 51, Connellsville 34 – Connellsville trailed by two after the first quarter Monday night and just one at halftime, but Hempfield turned up the pressure in the final 16 minutes for a 51-34 Section 1-AAAA home victory.
Hempfield started to pull away in the third quarter with a 16-11 advantage, then put the game away with a 12-1 fourth quarter.
Molly Bauer led the Lady Falcons (1-3, 3-6) with 10 points.
Allison Podkul scored a game-high 14 points for the Lady Spartans (2-1, 5-2). Aubree Halusic added 13.
Boys basketball
Hundred (W.Va.) 77, Mapletown 35 – Hundred (W.Va.) scored all the points it needed in the first half Monday night for a 77-35 non-section victory at Mapletown.
The visitors led 39-21 at halftime and extended its advantage to 65-27 through three quarters.
Holden Moore led Hundred with a game-high 41 points. Danny Stewart added 19.
Cody Dice led the Maples (0-7) with 13 points.
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Trinity 67, Frazier 58 – Trinity built an 8-point lead in the first quarter Monday night and then held off Frazier for a 67-58 non-section road victory.
The Hillers led 21-13 after the first quarter and 33-27 at halftime. The teams played to a 17-17 tie in the third quarter and then Trinity (3-4) had a 17-14 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Joey Koroly led Trinity with 27 points. Robert Nelson added 13.
Josh Cox scored 18 for the Commodores (2-4). Caleb Cox added 12 and Mark Dillon finished with 10.