Mustangs take control in 2nd quarter to top Raiders
Laurel Highlands used a 14-point advantage in the second quarter to take control of Tuesday’s non-section boys basketball game against Waynesburg Central, which the Mustangs went on to win, 76-60, at Waynesburg Central High School.
The Raiders (2-2) had a 16-14 edge after the opening frame, but Laurel Highlands (4-1) outscored the home team, 27-13, for a 41-29 halftime lead.
Waynesburg had a 20-17 advantage in the third to cut the deficit to 58-49, but the Mustangs won the fourth quarter, 18-11.
Laurel Highlands’ Kayden Smith led all scorers with 22 points. The Mustangs’ Luke Martin added 13 and Sevi Vecchiolla put in 12.
The Raiders’ Jackson Dean had a team-high 21 points. Dane Woods dropped 20 and Cole Headlee 14.
Laurel Highlands opens Section 1-5A play on Friday when it hosts McKeesport (2-1) at 7:30 p.m.
Waynesburg welcomes Aquinas Academy (2-2) to town on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in non-section play.
Geibel Catholic 79, Cheswick Christian 46 — The Gators took the lead in the second quarter and gradually pulled away in a non-section victory over the Chargers at “The Swamp.”
Cheswick (2-2) had an 18-16 lead after the first quarter before Geibel (3-1) outscored the visitors, 20-14, for a 36-32 halftime advantage. The Gators had a 23-12 edge in the third and a 20-2 advantage in the fourth.
Geibel’s Evan Strimel led all scorers with 21 points. The Gators’ Eahn Stevenson put in 16 and Anthony Nickischer had 15. Seth Dolan scored 10 to put four Geibel players in double figures.
Brady Rochkind led the Chargers in scoring with 20 points. Teammates Joseph Rosio (14) and Sam Kostick (10) were also in double digits.
Derry 64, Connellsville 52 — Stanley Rajkovich scored 22 points as the Trojans took control in the second quarter in a non-section victory over the visiting Falcons.
Derry (3-2) led 18-15 after the first quarter then used a 22-10 edge in the second to take a 40-25 halftime advantage. Connellsville (2-2) held a 27-24 edge in the second half but it wasn’t enough to overcome the halftime deficit.
Brayden Robinson added 16 points for the Trojans and Logan Irvin had 12.
Christian Thomas paced a trio of Falcons in double figures with 14 points. Tyler Burkus tallied 12 and Lucas Harwood contributed 11.
Ringgold 71, Albert Gallatin 37 — The Rams bolted to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter on their way to a non-section win over the visiting Colonials.
David Wachinski led Ringgold (2-1) with 14 points and was followed by Braylen Lomax (12) and Takeo Tolliver (11).
Ethan Kennedy scored nine points for AG (2-2).
Avella 73, West Greene 60 — The Eagles exploded for 30 points in the fourth quarter to soar past the host Pioneers in a non-section game.
Nate Cilia poured in a game-high 26 points to lead a group of four players in double figures for Avella (4-1). He was followed by Bryce Wright (16), Brayden Fuller (15) and Ryan Bell (10).
The Eagles led 16-9 after one quarter but the Pioneers pulled even at 25-25 at halftime and held a 45-43 advantage after three quarters before Avella took charge with a 30-15 edge in the final frame.
Will Shipman was the top scorer for West Greene (0-3) with 22 points. Landen Hill added 11 points and Darren Knight chipped in with 10.
Southmoreland 64, Yough 18 — Ty Whoric scored 19 points in the host Scotties’ non-section win over the Cougars (0-6).
Noah Felentzer and Brock Pritts both followed with 14 points for Southmoreland (2-2).
The Scotties cruised to a 23-3 lead in the first quarter and were up 43-11 by halftime.
Girls basketball
Connellsville 51, Albert Gallatin 19 — The Lady Falcons took control early and never looked back in a non-section victory over the Lady Colonials at Albert Gallatin High School.
Connellsville ninth grader Saige Mickens led all scorers with 17 points. Teammate Maggie Orndorff had 13. The Lady Falcons’ Payton Petrone scored 10.
Mikayla Shea led the Lady Colonials (0-3) in scoring with seven points.
Connellsville (3-2) had a 21-2 lead after the first quarter and a 37-12 halftime advantage. The visitors had a 14-7 scoring edge in the second half.
California 58, Bishop Canevin 42 — Hayley Gibson tossed in a game-high 24 points in the Lady Trojans’ non-section victory over the visiting Lady Crusaders.
California (1-4) led 16-7, 25-14 and 45-25 at the quarter breaks.
Lila Mitchell tallied 12 points for the Lady Trojans, who also got 10 points from Madyson Morton.
Kya Cooley topped Bishop Canevin in scoring with 18 points with Gianna Matthews and Isabella Sysak added 10 each.
Avella 56, Frazier 48 — Kenzi Miller scored 22 points and the host Lady Eagles out-scored the visiting Lady Commodores 23-15 in the fourth quarter to pull out a non-section win.
Avella (1-3) led 15-11 after the first quarter and 22-17 at halftime but Frazier (1-3) fought back to tie it at 33-33 after three.
Allie Yaugh rang up a game-high 25 points for the Lady Commodores, who also got nine points from Malana Burton.
Greensburg Salem 64. Southmoreland 12 — Sophie Beckerleg scored 16 points in the Lady Lions’ non-section win over the visiting Lady Scotties (1-3).
Isabella Dinkel and Mya Heasley each tallied 12 points for Greensburg Salem (2-1).