Feb 21, 2024 By the Herald-Standard 4 min read

Zach Keefer got the effort he was expecting from his Frazier boys basketball team but Greensburg Central Catholic proved to be far more powerful and showed why it’s the No. 2 seed in Class AA.

Tyree Turner scored a game-high 18 points as the host Centurions rolled to a 26-8 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 57-22 victory in a WPIAL first round playoff game Tuesday night.

“We knew it’d be a challenge,” Keefer said. “They’re just solid in every aspect of the game. They’ve got size, speed, strength, they can hurt you inside and outside. They were as advertised. That’s a really good team.

“They’ve had their way with just about everybody if you look at their scores.”

The Centurions’ only losses this season were to Class AAAAA playoff teams Franklin Regional (20-2), 68-51, and Penn Hills (14-8), 58-55.

GCC (21-2) scored the first seven points before Keefer called a timeout and his team responded with its first bucket. But the Centurions kept the pressure on.

“We thought if we could get them into a halfcourt game then we could hang around but I think we had like 10 turnovers in the first quarter,” Keefer said..

The Commodores trailed 30-8 in the second quarter when they went on a seven-point run to get within 15, but the hosts reeled off the final 13 points of the half for a commanding 43-15 lead.

“We tried to execute our game plan but sometimes that other team is just going to be better than you and they’re certainly one of the best teams in 2A,” Keefer said. “My hat’s off to them.”

Alvarez Franco also hit double digits for GCC with 13 points.

Dalian McManus led Frazier (11-12) with 12 points and Brock Alekson pulled down nine rebounds.

“I am proud of my guys and the effort they showed,” Keefer said. “They were outmatched but they fought and scratched and clawed for four quarters and that’s all I could ask of them.”

Keefer commended seniors Alekxon, Brennen Stewart and Josh Higbee.

“Those three were freshmen when we won the section title three years ago so they’ve been part of two playoff teams in four years,” Keefer pointed out. “We struggled the last two seasons and started out 0-3 this year and if they don’t stick it out, keep working and remain dedicated to their teammates and the program, then this doesn’t happen. So I’m proud of them and thankful for their leadership qualities.”

Keefer has hopes for another playoff run next with junior McManus returning..

“Dailan was our point guard and floor general, our leader in scoring, assists, steals and a great presence on defense, a true all-around, both-ends-of-the-floor player,” Keefer said. “When you have a kid like that returning it certainly gives you hope.

“Another thing is we had injuries along the way this season and a lot of young guys stepped up and filled roles, and the experience those guys got, moving forward, is going to help them in the future.”

Girls basketball

Knoch 45, Belle Vernon 28 – The sixth-seeded Lady Knights outscored visiting Belle Vernon 31-11 in the middle two quarters in pulling away for a WPIAL Class AAAA first round playoff victory.

Karlee Buterbaugh scored a game-high 16 points for Knoch (14-9) which advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals at third-seeded Elizabeth Forward.

The 11th-seeded Lady Leopards (10-13) trailed by just two, 7-5, after the first quarter before the Lady Knights surged to a 20-9 halftime lead and then a 38-16 advantage after three quarters.

Belle Vernon held a 12-7 edge in the fourth quarter.

Caroline Lee tallied 12 points for the Lady Leopards, who also got six rebounds and four steals from Kenzi Seliga and six boards from Saylor Lee.