Monessen boys, girls fall in PIAA playoff opener
The Monessen boys and girls had a rough start Friday night in the opening round of the PIAA Class A basketball playoffs with both squads falling on the road to Elk County Catholic.
The Greyhounds lost to the Crusaders, 85-54, and Elk County Catholic rolled past the Monessen girls, 45-16.
The Elk County Catholic boys advance to play Union Area on Tuesday. The Scotties (16-11) defeated Turkeyfoot Valley, 59-33.
The Crusaders led 19-12 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 42-27 at halftime. The lead grew to 60-35 after three quarters.
Wil Wertman led the way for Elk County Catholic (25-2) with a game-high 34 points. Colby Nussbaum (14), Lance O’Neill (13), and Chase Simbeck (11) also finished in double figures.
Lorenzo Gardner paced the Greyhounds (20-6) with 18 points. Rodney Johnson scored 15 and Devontae Robinson added 12.
The Elk County Catholic girls held Monessen to single digits in each quarter for quarter leads of 10-2, 22-5 and 35-8.
Lucy Klawuhn scored a game-high 12 points for the Lady Crusaders. Sydney Alexander added 11.
Madison Johnson scored six points for Monessen (19-7).