Whitlock comes through in Monessen’s win
GREENSBURG – Monessen’s season was on the line as it trailed in the fourth quarter against Bishop Carroll Tuesday night when two players of contrasting age and stature stepped up.
Dishon Howell, a 6-2 senior, and Devin Whitlock, a 5-7 freshman, led the way as the Greyhounds rode a furious rally in the final six minutes to a stunning 63-62 win over the Huskies in their PIAA Class A second-round boys basketball playoff game at Greensburg Salem High School.
Whitlock’s driving basket with 13 seconds left gave Monessen the lead and his rebound and pass down court after a missed Bishop Carroll shot sealed it and capped another stellar game by the fearless freshman, who scored a game-high 23 points.
Monessen (17-9) will play WPIAL champion Nazareth Prep in the quarterfinals on Friday with the site and time to be determined.
The Greyhounds trailed by 10 late in the third quarter and were down nine with six minutes left before mounting their comeback.
“Our kids showed great heart there and really battled,” Monessen coach Dan Bosnic said of his team’s late charge. “The kids really stepped up their effort and their energy there and that was the difference in the game.”
Howell, who scored nine of his 15 points and blocked two shots in the fourth quarter, came up with a key steal and was fouled as he drove to the basket with 53 seconds left and the Huskies (20-6) up 60-59. He calmly swished both shots to give the Greyhounds their first lead of the game.
“Honestly, I was just thinking I didn’t want this to be my last game,” said Howell, who credited his teammates. “It was nothing but heart. The will to win.”
Bishop Carroll’s Carson Ertter was fouled with 41.8 seconds remaining and also made two free throws to put his team back on top.
That only set the stage for Whitlock, though.
Bosnic called a timeout and set up his offense for the game-winning score.
“We wanted to space out,” Bosnic said. “We called the offense that we wanted to get into. The kids created the spacing and Devin was able to get in there and finish at the rim.”
Bosnic praised Howell and Whitlock for their clutch performances.
“Both of those guys made huge plays there at the end,” Bosnic said. “Devin’s a freshman but he hasn’t played like a freshman all year long. He made big play after big play.
“And Dishon, coming into the state playoffs he had a wrist injury and we weren’t even certain he was going to play. He hasn’t just played, he’s played really, really well. He’s been a big difference.
“I’m proud of both of those guys.”
Darnel Howell also hit double digits for Monessen with 12 points and the Greyhounds defense helped turn the momentum in the final frame.
Tristan McDannell led Bishop Carroll with 20 points and three 3-pointers but he was held scoreless in the fourth period. Huskies 6-5 forward Nolan Burk caused havoc inside against Monessen and followed with 19 points, although it wasn’t enough in the end.
Bishop Carroll led 15-11 after one period and went up 29-19 late in the second on two free throws Alex Karlheim, who drew Whitlock’s third foul.
The Greyhounds pulled with 29-23 at halftime, but fell down by 10 again, 49-39, when Scotty Semelsberger hit a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in the third.
Monessen closed the third with a basket by Darnel Howell and a lay-up by Antwon Tucker with one second left to make it 49-43 heading into the fourth.
Whitlock said he never felt the Greyhounds were out of the game.
“To win you’ve got to have faith in your team,” Whitlock said. “You’ve got to trust your teammates, trust the next man.”