Greyhounds run out of gas in 61-49 setback to Vincentian Academy
Celeste Van Kirk
Monessen’s Devin Whitlock makes a lay up against Vincentian Academy’s Angelo Reeves in their WPIAL Class A semifinal playoff game at the Peters Township High School. The Greyhounds open PIAA play with a 6:30 p.m. game on Friday against Jamestown at Edinboro University.
Celeste Van Kirk
Monessen’s coach Dan Bosnic gives the Greyhounds instructions during a time out in the fourth quarter of Monday’s WPIAL Class A semifinal against Vincentian Academy at Peters Twp. High School.
Celeste Van Kirk
Monessen’s Jae Brice splits Vincentian Academy’s Alex Griggs (5) and Angelo Reeves for a shot attempt during Monday’s WPIAL Class A semifinal at the Peters Twp. High School.
McMURRAY — Monessen battled top-seed Vincentian Academy from start to finish, but coach Dan Bosnic’s Greyhounds ran out of gas after playing a frenetic pace from the opening tip-off in the Royals’ 61-49 victory in the semifinals of the WPIAL Class A boys basketball playoffs on Monday at Peters Twp. High School.
The Royals (16-7) advance to Thursday’s championship against Nazareth Prep (18-3) at the Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh. The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Monessen’s season is not over, though, as the Greyhounds (15-9) have already qualified for the PIAA playoffs by reaching the WPIAL semifinals.
“We are proud of our guys,” Bosnic said. “We are going to let them get a short rest here, then we are going to prepare as a team to win games in the state tournament, and I think that we are capable of doing that.
“Vincentian Academy is a good basketball team and they have a lot of good basketball players on that team from different areas, and I thought we gave them everything they wanted tonight, and really showed heart and resiliency, and I couldn’t be any more proud of our guys.
“As a coach, you are never satisfied with a result where you are not winning the game, but at the same time, to tell you I’m disappointed in our kids, I can’t tell you that. I’m truly proud to coach these guys.”
Monessen battled back in the third quarter after trailing by 10 at halftime to take a 45-43 lead heading into the fourth after outscoring Vincentian Academy, 16-4, in the period.
“I thought we really battled all throughout that game,” Bosnic said. “They showed resiliency, and at the end, I don’t think we had enough in the tank and just ran out of gas.”
The Royals opened the first 4:10 of the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run to take a 50-47 advantage, and Bosnic took a timeout.
Vincentian Academy’s Alex Griggs tied the game on a layup for two of his game-high 18 points before the Greyhounds’ Elijahwa Payne scored inside for two of his six.
The Royals took a one-point lead on Ethan Embleton’s three and Nate Cullo made two free throws. Cullo had 12 points on four field goals and was 4-of-6 at the line.
Monessen’s Darnel Howell scored to cut the deficit to 50-49, but it was the last basket the Greyhounds would score, as Angelo Reeves scored inside for two of his 14 before Vincentian Academy forced a turnover and Griggs made two free throws for a 54-49 lead.
The Royals forced a stop on defense and Griggs scored at the other end for a seven-point advantage. Griggs added four straight free throws and Cullo made 1-of-2 at the line. Vincentian Academy shot 19-of-27 at the foul line, but more importantly, went 9-for-10 in the fourth quarter.
“Vincentian is a good basketball team and they showed why they are the No. 1 seed tonight,” Bosnic said. “But our kids will fight and battle you to the end.”
Monessen held a 15-14 lead after the first quarter, as freshman Devin Whitlock made three baskets for six of his team-high 14 points and Dishon Howell added five points on two field goals, including one 3-pointer.
Reeves was strong inside with five points in the opening period on one field goal and was 3-for-6 at the line.
Whitlock played like a senior and showed no fear, as he scored on a spinning layup to tie the game at 21 with 4:39 left in the first half and also drove for a layup on the 6-foot-7 Embleton.
“Devin (Whitlock) showed it tonight, and we’ve seen it all season long, he’s fearless,” Bosnic said. “He will attack you the whole game, and he’s willingness to compete and go after teams is impressive for a freshman. To be that demonstrative and aggressive as a young kid.”
The Royals responded to Whitlock’s heroics by showing why they are the No. 1 seed in Class A. Vincentian Academy went on a 9-0 run for a 30-21 advantage with three minutes remaining. The Royals outscored the Greyhounds, 25-14, in the second for a 39-29 halftime lead.
Monessen went on an 11-4 run to cut the deficit to 43-40 with 2:59 left in the third quarter. The Greyhounds’ DaWayne Howell scored inside and made the free throw for three of his eight points to tie the game, and Whitlock scored on a layup at the buzzer for the two-point advantage heading into the fourth.