Wright puts spin on South Fayette victory
Lions beat Milton Hershey in PIAA opener
McDONALD – At South Fayette, Lailah Wright easily is the female version of a Harlem Globetrotter. For the junior surely knows how to wow the crowd.
During a 64-35 victory over Milton Hershey in a first-round PIAA Class 5A playoff game, Wright contributed nine points, a handful of assists as well as a number of steals but what excited the fans most, bringing them to their feet, was a spin move for a bucket that cemented South Fayette’s supremacy over the Spartans.
“I always did that move when I was younger,” Wright said. “It has always been my thing. One of my signature moves.”
The maneuver and basket occurred at the 3:35 mark of the second quarter as the Lions stretched a 13-point first-frame advantage to 33-11.
“Lailah’s spectacular,” said South Fayette coach Bryan Bennett. “There’s some moves that she’s made throughout the season and you wonder how she does it.
“She’s so athletic, and she’s getting better and better every day. She’s a worker in the gym. She is where she’s at right now because of all the hard work she puts in.”
Wright and the rest of the Lions put the work in prior to taking on the Spartans. They studied film and realized they were going to have to contend with a team that, though it featured a 17-10 record and finished eighth in District 3, sported a taller lineup than their own.
Milton Hershey’s smallest starters measured 5-8 and 6-foot center Journey Wright led the offensive attack. She scored nine points for the Spartans.
“We saw their size on film but when we came here and saw them we were like, they’re big,” Wright said, “but we knew we could run them off the floor and that’s what we did.”
The Lions raced to a 7-0 lead and coasted to a 22-9 edge after eight minutes. They led 39-18 at halftime and invoked the “Mercy Rule” at the 2:23 mark in the third stanza when the margin swelled to 53-23.
“We jumped on them right away and I was pleased with that,” Bennett said.
The Lions did not let the weeklong layoff after winning their fourth WPIAL title in five years impact their play.
“This is a veteran group of kids,” Bennett explained. “As the week of practice progressed we gradually got better. Give them credit, they came into the game and wouldn’t have a let down. Being in this position before really does help.”
Bennett also added that scouting the Spartans aided the Lady Lions.
“We watched them on film and they were extremely athletic. I was worried about their size. They’re a big team and they try to exploit you inside.
“Give my kids credit. We did a good job getting them off the block and the first few possessions when they got the ball inside our doubles did a good job of limiting them. I was pleased with our kids’ performances.”
All five starters shone in their area of expertise and three of them finished in double figures.
Juliette Leroux totaled all 13 of her points in the final three quarters. Haylie Lamonde finished with 13 markers, including a 3-point field goal. Ella Vierra pumped in 10 points.
Ryan Oldaker had the hot hand from the outside, burying three treys. She finished with nine points.
Kenzie Rumberger came off the bench and provided five markers.
All five starters were subbed out in the final frame and Wright received the biggest ovation. In her mind, she accomplished a part of her mission.
“I really do love getting the crowd involved and hearing them cheer,” she said. “I just like putting on a show and I’m being myself.”
Being herself also means sporting a fancy do. With her hair piled up high on her head, Wright gains several inches in height. She stands 5 feet 7 but with the hair, she’s 5 feet 10.
“That’s my style too,” she said.
With the win over Milton Hershey, South Fayette improved to 26-1 overall and advanced to the second round of the tournament. The Lions will play Penn-Trafford (20-6) at a site and time to be determined on Wednesday. The Warriors defeated West York (16-10), 65-48, in their state playoff opener.