South Fayette puts dent in Trinity’s playoff plan

McDONALD – New Year’s resolutions fall short for many not long after they are made.
Youthfulness on the Trinity boy’s basketball team isn’t going to change anytime soon this season, but the resolution to a better start to the calendar year is what the Hillers are hoping for. A 5-8 record last January left Trinity’s playoff fate in the hands of other teams, resulting in a postseason that never was.
This January, the Hillers put together four consecutive section victories to push their record to 4-1 before a crucial matchup with South Fayette Monday night.
The inexperience of Trinity showed with South Fayette forcing 25 turnovers and scoring points in bunches to top the Hillers, 72-61, in a Section 5-AAA matchup.
“Our goal is to get easy layups and get to the foul line as much as possible,” said South Fayette head coach Rich Bonnaure.
The Lions were able to accomplish both with a lopsided second quarter in which Trinity turned the ball over seven times. A 13-0 South Fayette run was capped by a Ryhan Culberson dunk with 30 seconds remaining to send the Lions into the locker room ahead 42-31.
“It killed all momentum we had,” said Trinity assistant coach Ed Matthews, who was filling in for the ill Tim Tessmer. “When we would finally get defensive stops, we would just go down and give the ball right back to (South Fayette).”
Things continued to look bleak for the Hillers (6-3, 8-7) after halftime as South Fayette went on an eight-point run to take control, 54-34, until a three-pointer from freshman Jaden Nelson gave the Hillers life. Nelson’s three and a gritty Trinity defense tightened and didn’t allow a basket from South Fayette until 3:38 remained in the fourth quarter, sparking a 13-0 Trinity run to cut the Lions lead to 56-49.
“Our lineup is changing and roles are still getting developed, believe it or not,” said Bonnaure, who welcomed Noah Plack back to his lineup only a week-and-a-half ago because of an injury suffered in the WPIAL championship game at Heinz Field. “Trinity is a really good team and well coached. We have to value the basketball more at the end.”
Despite only going 21 of 36 from the free throw line, clutch free throws from South Fayette (6-2, 9-6) guard Camron Garland sealed the Hillers loss.
Scoring a game-high 22 points and grabbing six rebounds for the Lions was Culberson. Brett Willner and Matt Thomas also reached double-figure scoring for South Fayette with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Trinity’s balanced scoring that included nine players recording at least a point in the first-half, was paced by Nelson’s 12 points. Sophomore Joey Koroly had 10 points.
Matthews knows what the Hillers need to keep control of their third-place spot in the standings.
“Leadership,” he said. “These guys remember the feeling at the end of last year. We have three section games left and they are all must-wins now. All the top teams play each other. We need guys to step up, take control and hold others accountable.”