Girls basketball: PT finishes 3rd; Monessen gets PIAA spot
Gemma Walker scored 22 points and triggered a big second quarter that sparked Peters Township to a 73-59 win over Chartiers Valley in the WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball third-place game Wednesday night on the Indians’ home court.
The win has Peters Township (23-2) opening play in the PIAA tournament Friday, March 8 against the third-place team from District 3, either Lebanon or Wilson. It also gives the Indians a three-game sweep of section rival Chartiers Valley (16-8).
The Colts led 16-14 after one quarter before Peters Township took control with a 22-8 scoring edge in the pivotal second quarter. The Indians led 36-24 at halftime.
Walker, a senior guard, scored nine points in the second quarter and made a pair of three-point shots.
Natalie Wetzel followed in the scoring column with 12 points and Daniela Radulovich had 11, including in the first half.
Chartiers Valley’s Ella Cupka shared game scoring honors with Walker as she tossed in 22 points. Lilah Turnbull and Emma Reynolds each had 11 points for the Colts, who also will be in the state playoffs.
Monessen 44, Bishop Canevin 41
My’Asia Majors scored 14 points, Madison Johnson added 10 and Monessen clinched a berth in the PIAA Class A girls basketball playoffs by holding off a late charge by visiting Bishop Canevin, 44-41, in the WPIAL’s fifth-place game.
Monessen (20-6) matched the finish attained by the Greyhounds’ boys team one night earlier as the fifth-place team. The Greyhounds will play the District 9 champion in the first round of the state tournament Saturday, March 9.
Against Bishop Canevin (8-15), Monessen moved ahead in the first quarter, taking a 12-9 lead after eight minutes of play. The Greyhounds led 20-17 at halftime and 33-26 at the end of three quarters.
Monessen padded its lead to 10 points in the fourth quarter before the Crusaders came storming back and pulled to within three in the closing seconds. Bishop Canevin was forced to foul but Monessen was not yet in the bonus and the Greyhounds were able to drain the clock.
Amari Elliott scored 11 points to top Canevin’s attack. Isabella Sysak added 10.