California hits late shots to beat Charleroi, 63-60
Holly Tonini
California’s Ben Wilson (1) steals on the ball away from Charleroi’s Gino Pellegrini during non-section play Monday at California Area High School.
Holly Tonini
Charleroi’s Caleb Carson (3) shoots for thee over California’s Ben Wilson (1) in the first quarter of their non-section game Monday at California Area High School.
Holly Tonini
California’s Kass Taylor (22) looks for room to make a pass over Charleroi’s Josiah Fisher (10) and Errict Tedrow (44) during their non-section matchup Monday at California Area High School.
CALIFORNIA — California prepared for its Section 2-AA opener tonight at Jefferson-Morgan with a thrilling 63-60 win over Charleroi.
“Our kids made the plays at the end of the game when we needed it, and Ben Wilson stepped up big time tonight,” said California coach Bruno Pappasergi. “We had several guys step up and hit big shots for us, and it was a total team effort.”
Charleroi coach Bill Wiltz, while disappointed in the defeat, was happy with how his team fought back late.
“We had way too many turnovers and went a little too much individual,” he said. “If we keep the tempo and play how we can play, it is probably a different story, but my hat’s off to the kids on coming back.
“They laid it on the line and gave it their all.”
Charleroi (2-3) had the hot hand early in the first quarter and held a 17-10 lead in the closing moments, but J.C. Conaway trimmed the lead to 17-13 when he hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Wilson hit a three to start the quarter to trim Cal’s deficit to 17-16, but Charleroi went on a 6-0 run to take a 23-16 lead.
The Trojans (5-1) took the momentum with a 12-2 run to close the half and Kass Taylor, who entered the game needing 20 points for 1,000, stealing a pass and dunking a second before the buzzer to give the Trojans a 28-25 lead at halftime.
Cal used an 8-2 run to open a 38-31 lead with 2:40 to play in the third and the Trojans led 42-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
Charleroi slowly chipped away at the lead early in the fourth, but a 9-2 run by the Trojans made the score 57-46 with 4:05 to go.
However, Charleroi refused to quit and went on a 13-2 run to tie the score at 59-59 with 1:13 to go on a Dremar Everette free throw.
Taylor hit a bucket with 54 seconds left to give the Trojans a one-point lead, and after a Charleroi turnover, John DeFranco made two free throws to give the hosts a 63-60 lead with ten seconds to go.
Charleroi pushed for a last shot and Caleb Carson’s three-point attempt from the corner went in and out.
Taylor grabbed his tenth rebound as time expired to secure the win.
Wilson finished with 20 points to lead the Trojans with Taylor finishing with 19 to come up one point short of 1,000 for his career.
John DeFranco added 10 points for the Trojans.
Sam Miceli paced Charleroi with 19 points, Dremar Everette had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and both Carson and Errict Tedrow added 11 points each.
Pappasergi pointed out his bench and their effort on the sidelines.
“The group that should get the biggest applause is our bench because they were into the game today,” he said. “They were telling our kids what to do and were into every shot.”
The Trojans are at Jefferson-Morgan tonight in their Section 2-AA opener, while Charleroi opens Section 4-AAA play Friday at Burgettstown.