Canon-Mac aims to punctuate dream season with title
John Fontana can still recall the first meeting he had with his players after he got the Canon-McMillan girls basketball head coaching job three years ago.
“I told them that I wasn’t just coming here to win games, I was coming here to win championships,” Fontana said. “We lived off that goal ever since that moment three years ago and we’ve been playing for it.”
That may have seemed lofty expectations for a program that had one section title in its history and was coming off a season with one section win.
But Fontana saw the potential in the players and now they’ve realized it.
The top-seeded Big Macs are in their first WPIAL championship game.
They’ll get a third meeting with No. 2 Norwin in the WPIAL Class 6A championship, 5 p.m. today at the Petersen Events Center.
Canon-McMillan (20-4) and Norwin (19-4) split in the regular season, each winning on the other’s home floor. Norwin won the first meeting 56-52 in a game where it made nine threes. Canon-McMillan took the rematch, 44-37.
Norwin has the highest-scoring offense in Class 6A at 53.3 points per game, while Canon-McMillan boasts the best defense, allowing 37 points per game.
As the season progressed it seemed like a rubber match in the championship was destined to happen.
“No matter who you play in a championship game, you should be getting the best competition and they are the best competition,” Fontana said. “They know us and we know them.
“They shoot the ball really well. They have a lot of shooters. They’re quick on offense and can get to the hoop. They can run the court. They’re an outstanding offensive team.”
While Canon-McMillan is making its first trip to a WPIAL final, it’s become a regular occurrence for Norwin. This is the third straight season the Knights have made it to the “Pete.”
While they’re familiar with the surroundings, only a few players that were on varsity returned and one starter, Ava Christopher, is back from last year’s team.
“What they have experience in is going there, what to do, when to go in to the locker room, when to come out of the locker room and how long to sit in the stands before you go in for pregame,” Fontana said.
The Big Macs’ senior trio of Lauren Borella, Madison Clair and Samantha Miller, as well as junior Faye Saunders and sophomore Brooke Stanton, are the starting five that has driven the program to new heights.
Prior to last season the Big Macs had never played in a semifinal before or made the state playoffs.
Now they’ll be stepping on the court in a championship game for the first time and Fontana’ message for them has been to soak in the moment.
“I told them when they go there it’s normal to be a little nervous and normal to be excited,” Fontana said. “I want them to embrace being excited and embrace being nervous. The most important thing is to enjoy it and have a good time.”
All season, the Big Macs have been making history. They won a section title for just the second time ever and first since 2016. They’ve been gaining a following during their run as well. The Canon-McMillan side of the grandstand at Mt. Lebanon was packed during Tuesday’s semifinal against Seneca Valley. Expect to see plenty of Big Macs faithful make the trip to Oakland Saturday.
“I think you’re going to see a tremendous fan base come down to the Petersen Events Center to support the girls,” Fontana said. “It’s going to be a good feeling. Just to be there is a good feeling.”