High school basketball: J-M’s magical season ended by Jeannette
Jeannette raced out to a 23-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in rolling a 68-36 victory over Jefferson-Morgan in a PIAA Class 2A second-round boys basketball playoff game at Peters Township High School’s AHN Arena on Wednesday night.
Markus McGowan scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the first quarter, including a trio of three-pointers, to kickstart the Jayhawks (24-2).
Jeannette upped its advantage to 40-11 by halftime and led 58-26 after three quarters.
Xavier Odorisio-Farrow (13) and Jayce Powell (10) also hit double digits for Jeannette.
The Jayhawks advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals will they will face either Our Lady of the Sacred Heart or District 10 champion Mercyhurst Prep.
Jeremiah Robertson led the Rockets (24-4) with 15 points and John Woodward added 12.
Girls results
Blackhawk 55, Belle Vernon 41: What had been a breakout season for the young Belle Vernon girls basketball team ended against WPIAL runner-up Blackhawk.
The Cougars doubled Belle Vernon’s offensive production in the first half and cruised to a 55-41 victory in a PIAA Class 4A second-round playoff game at North Allegheny High School.
Blackhawk (24-1) led 14-7 after one quarter and 32-16 at halftime.
Much of Blackhawk’s scoring came from two players: Grace Huston (21 points) and Aubree Huff (19).
Lyla McConnell paced Belle Vernon with 18 points and five steals. Aubrey Brown added 12 points.
Belle Vernon, which had only two seniors on its roster, finishes the season with a 23-5 record.