High school basketball: Clair, Canon-Mac get road win PIAA playoffs
Madison Clair pumped in a game-high 23 points and led a second-half charge as Canon-McMillan defeated host Allderdice 48-44 Friday night in a first-round game in the PIAA Class 6A girls basketball playoffs.
Canon-McMillan (16-9) advances to the second round Tuesday night and will face section rival Upper St. Clair, a 65-37 winner over Manheim Township in the opening round.
The Big Macs won in come-from-behind fashion. Allderdice (20-6), which had won 16 in a row, led 10-9 after one quarter and 24-21 at halftime.
Canon-Mac’s zone defense was a key in the second half as it held the Dragons to only 20 points. A basket by Clair and a three-pointer by freshman Brooke Stanton put the Big Macs up 39-33 in the third quarter. C-M stretched its lead to 46-37 – the biggest lead by either team — with 2:50 remaining.
Allderdice made one final push and closed to within 46-44 after a basket off an offensive rebound with 20 seconds left. Clair, however, sealed the win with a basket with 10 seconds remaining.
Kennedy Catholic 75, Fort Cherry 45
For the second time in as many years, the Fort Cherry girls basketball has had its season end in the PIAA playoffs against District 10 powerhouse Kennedy Catholic.
The Rangers lost Friday night in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs, 75-49 on Kennedy Catholic’s home court.
The Rangers end the season with a 20-5 record. Kennedy Catholic moves on to Tuesday’s second round with a 19-5 record.
Kennedy catholic forged a 36-21 halftime lead and then erupted for 31 points in the third quarter to stretch the advantage to 67-30.
Layke Fields led the winners with 26 points. She had plenty of support from Bella Magesto and Tori Harvey, each tossing in 18 points.
Fort Cherry’s Brooke Vornali matched Fields for game scoring honors with her 26 points. Olivia Kemp also hit double figures with 11.
Aliquippa 56, Chartiers-Houston 42
Carla Brown pumped in a game-high 22 points and WPIAL champion Aliquippa defeated Chartiers-Houston 56-42 in a PIAA Class 2A first-round game played on the Quips’ home court.
Aliquippa (23-4) led 28-15 at halftime and held a 28-27 scoring edge in the second half.
The Bucs, who finish the year at 20-6, were hurt by their offensive output in the second quarter when they were outscored 11-4.
Ali Wingard was the only player for C-H to score in double figures. She tossed in 17 points.
Jaz Cobb supported Brown’s big game by scoring 14 points.