Jan 2, 2024 3 min read

McGuffey and Fort Cherry traded blows in each quarter before the Highlanders eked out a 69-65 victory in overtime Saturday night to win the Avella Christmas Tournament.

The Highlanders (0-2, 7-3) had an 11-7 edge in the fourth quarter.

McGuffey took an 18-9 lead after the first quarter, but the Rangers (1-0, 5-3) battled back for a 19-8 advantage in the second for a 28-26 halftime lead. The Highlanders took a six-point advantage into the fourth quarter at 45-39 after outscoring Fort Cherry, 19-11, in the third.

The Rangers had a 19-13 advantage in the fourth to send the game into overtime tied at 58-58.

McGuffey had four players in double figures, led by Aydan Cunningham’s 16 points. Grayson Wallace put in 14, and Chris and Jacob Ealy added 10 points apiece.

Fort Cherry’s Derek Errett led all scorers with 26 points. Teammate Shane Cornali added 21.

Burgettstown 79, Propel Montour 61

The Blue Devils outscored Propel by 12 in the fourth quarter to turn a close game into a rout in the Avella Christmas Tournament.

Burgettstown (2-0, 9-2) was led in scoring by James Leuice, who had 28 points. Zack Schrockman had 27 for the Blue Devils.

Propel’s John Anderson had a game-high 31 points, including seven 3-pointers. TyAire Hawkins had 11 and connected on three from behind-the-arc.

Chartiers-Houston 54, Avella 46

The Bucs had a 34-27 advantage in the second half en route to a victory over the host team in the Avella Christmas Tournament.

Avery Molek scored 19 points to lead Chartiers-Houston (1-1, 8-2). Paul Williamson and Justus Buckingham had 10 apiece for the Bucs.

The Eagles’ Westley Burchianti led his team and the game in scoring with 21 points. Teammate Bryce Wright added 11. Avella drops to 5-5.

Lincoln Park 82, Belle Vernon 47

In a battle of the Leopards, the Lincoln Park version showed why they are the defending WPIAL and state champions with a dominating performance.

Belle Vernon’s Zion Moore had a game-high 26 points, but Lincoln Park’s Brandon Cummings and Maleek Thomas scored 22 apiece, and Richaki Lum put in 16.

Lincoln Park (7-2) had a 27-9 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

Belle Vernon dropped to 5-2.

Girls basketball

South Fayette 67, Livingston Academy 41

The Lions jumped on top of Livingston Academy, Tenn., and never looked back in a victory at the Carolina Lowcountry Invitational on Saturday in Charleston, S.C.

Lainey Yater led South Fayette in scoring with 24 points. Teammate Erica Hall dropped 11.

The Lions (5-3) had a 25-16 lead after the first quarter and a 41-28 halftime advantage. South Fayette outscored Livingston Academy, 13-4, in the third quarter and 13-9 in the fourth.