Tough first quarter dooms Trojans in 72-57 setback to Sto-Rox
Darnell Graham
California’s Cochise Ryan puts in a layup as Sto-Rox’s Jamil Williams attempts to block the shot during Saturday’s WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff game at Keystone Oaks High School.
Darnell Graham
California Derrick Hammitt drives to the basket as Sto-Rox’s Jamil Williams defends during Saturday’s WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff game at Keystone Oaks High School.
California's Cochise Ryan puts in a layup while Sto-Rox’s Dre Frenzley defends during a WPIAL Class AA first-round playoff game at Keystone Oaks High School last season.
DORMONT — California found itself in a first-quarter hole, and was battling the whole game to get out of it.
The Trojans came out with a more determined effort in the second half and trimmed the deficit to 10 points before a late, fourth-quarter push by Sto-Rox was the difference maker in its 72-57 victory in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs on Saturday at Keystone Oaks High School.
“We had rough week of practice and sometimes our mentality wasn’t there today,” California coach Aaron Balla said. “They threw a zone at us early on and it took some time to get adjusted to it. They have a lot of length and is probably one of the quickest teams we faced all year.”
The Vikings (14-9) collected the opening eight points of the contest and extended their lead to 19-6. The squads exchanged baskets the rest of the way, as California trailed, 25-12, at the end of one.
In the second quarter, the Trojans (12-10) trimmed the deficit down to 27-15 after a 3-pointer by Nathan Zemany. The No. 7 seed responded with a 16-4 rally to increase its lead to 43-21.
California ended the first half on a positive note with a 7-4 run and was down, 47-28, at halftime.
Sto-Rox had the early momentum in the third quarter and extended its lead to 57-34 before the Trojans made their second-half run. Both teams scored 14 points apiece in the third.
After the Vikings went up 67-46 in the early minutes of the fourth, California countered with 11 unanswered points. The spree was started with a trey from Austin Grillo, and a free throw by Grillo made it 67-57 with 2:17 left in regulation.
“Our execution was hit or miss today,” Balla said. “I think we played with better energy in the second half. This group never quits and never put their heads down. We were without Malik Ramsey today, and he was tough to replace. He always provides us with a good game on the glass and on the inside.”
But that was the closest California would come, as Sto-Rox scored the final five points. The Vikings play No. 2 seed Serra Catholic in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Marcus Upshaw had a team-high 17 points for Sto-Rox, followed by Dre Frenzly (16) and Jamal Williams (15).
Grillo led all scorers in the game with 21 points for the Trojans.
“Austin is always a step-up player,” Balla said. “He wasn’t afraid of the stage and he was able to control the offense out there. He has a good shot and he is a natural leader. He has progressed all season long and he had a heck of a game for us.”
Cochise Ryan chipped in with 14 points and Jaedan Zuzak added nine off the bench.
“This is my first year, so we are trying to build something here,” Balla said. “I think we need to be more accountable and really focus on the little things. The off-season is going to be critical for this program. You have to show up for practice and work on the fundamentals.”