Dec 29, 2017 6 min read

After a sluggish start for both teams, Charleroi had its offense sparked by Maria Claybaugh’s 19 points as it upended tournament host California, 51-37, Friday night.

Charleroi went 3-0 in the three-day event on the Trojans’ home court.

The Cougars, who only scored five points in the eight opening minutes, exploded for 18 in the second quarter to take a 23-20 halftime lead.

Charleroi (8-1) pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Trojans 14-4.

Kaitlyn Riley of Charleroi finished with 12 points and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Grace Roberts led California (5-3) with 13 points. Roberts was named to the all-tournament team.

Whitmer (Ohio) 55, Chartiers-Houston 24: Chartiers-Houston had a little bit of everything happen on its trip to Orlando, Fla.

The Bucs had their flight delayed, played a nationally ranked team and had to dig deep into the bench for their final game against Whitmer.

Keaira Walker didn’t play and Alexa Williamson was removed early after getting hit in the head as Whitmer defeated Chartiers-Houston 55-24 in the Rock Holiday Classic finale.

Jules Vulcano led C-H (5-3) with 12 points.

Jenna Thomas and Abby Hickey each scored in double figures for Whitmer with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Canon-McMillan 75, Belle Vernon 46: Izzy Allen scored a game-high 34 points as Canon-McMillan separated itself early from Belle Vernon, defeating the Leopards 75-46 in the California University Hoopfest at the Convocation Center.

The Big Macs carried their hot finish in the first-round game against Warren into the first quarter by outscoring Belle Vernon 21-1 in the opening eight minutes.

Canon-McMillan (7-2), which led 41-18 at halftime, scored at least 20 points in three of the four quarters. Led by Allen’s 34, the Big Macs balanced their scoring with 15 points from Tamara Mathis and Nayah Williams’ 10. Mathis had 11 assists.

Belle Vernon (6-3) was led by Caitlyn Trombley’s 18 points. Grace Henderson had 11.

Gilmore Academy (Ohio) 64, Trinity 47: Emma Gurley led all scorers with 20 points as Gilmour Academy defeated Trinity 64-47 in the Wright Automotive North Allegheny tournament.

Aside from the second quarter, when Trinity was outscored 20-7, the Hillers hung with Gilmour, a defending state champion in Ohio.

Riley DeRubbo scored a team-high 15 points for Trinity (7-3). She was alter named to the all-tournament team. Alayna Cappelli also had 12 points for the Hillers.

Gilmour’s Naz Hillmon, a Michigan recruit, finished with 19 points.

South Allegheny 58, Monessen 32: Alyssa Minerd scored a game-high 17 points as South Allegheny cruised to a 58-32 victory over Monessen in the California Christmas Tournament.

After taking a 31-12 lead into halftime, South Allegheny continued its offensive balance in the second half with 12 points in the third quarter and another 15 in the fourth.

Madison Kirkwood also reached double digits for South Allegheny (7-2) with 10 points.

Quitarah Hardison led Monessen (1-8) with nine. Hardison was named to the all-tournament team.

Obama Academy 34, Beth-Center 32: Holding a five-point lead entering the second half, Beth-Center only scored two points in the third quarter – 11 in the last 16 minutes – and was defeated by Obama Academy, 34-32, in the California University Hoopfest tournament.

In the second-half comeback, Obama Academy (5-0) was led by Talia Mitchell’s game-high 14 points.

Kinlee Whited paced Beth-Center (6-2) with 11 points.

Brentwood 70, Carmichaels 36: Carmichaels dug itself a hole scoring only three points in the first quarter as it fell to Brentwood, 70-36, in the California Christmas Tournament.

The Mikes rebounded with 19 points in the second quarter but couldn’t maintain a consistent offensive attack with only 14 points in the final 16 minutes.

Megan Walker, who led Carmichaels (3-5) in scoring with 21 points, was named to the all-tournament team.

Brentwood (7-1) was paced by Morgan Dryburgh’s 20 points.

Boys results

Burgettstown 77, Carlynton 52: Burgettstown found comfort in their up-tempo offense and pressure defense, pulling away in the second quarter to defeat Carlynton 77-52 in the fifth-place game of the Avella tournament.

Forcing several turnovers leading to easy transition baskets, the Blue Devils broke a 16-16 first-quarter tie and outscored Carlynton 25-6 in the next eight minutes to take control of the game.

Four players scored in double figures for Burgettstown (6-2), led by 20 points from Garrett Dhans. Jacob Schrockman finished with 14 points, while Dante Gianfrancesco had 13 and Max Shaw scored 11.

Ian Gallagher scored 14 points for Carlynton (3-6).

Waynesburg 86, Avella 17: The final day of its own tournament wasn’t kind to Avella.

Waynesburg outscored Avella 30-2 in the first quarter and went on to defeat the Eagles, 86-17.

Darton McIntire scored 20 points for Waynesburg (2-7). Brandon Turcheck had 14 points, Aaron Yorio finished with 11 and Lucas Garber was the fourth scorer to reach double-digits with 10 points.

Avella (0-7) was limited to eight points in the first, third and fourth quarters. Owen English and Tyler Cerciello each had four points.

Belle Vernon 61, Ringgold 47: Belle Vernon forged an early lead and didn’t let off the gas as it defeated Ringgold 61-47 in the Charleroi tournament.

The Leopards pounced on Ringgold for a 17-6 lead after the first quarter, then went into halftime up 32-19.

Belle Vernon (5-3) was paced by three players scoring in double figures. Griffin LaCarte scored tied a game-high with 12 points. Cam Nusser and Derek Thomas each had 10.

Jayden Taylor finished with 12 points for Ringgold (2-7).

West Greene 61, Hundred (W.Va.) 49: Nathan Brudnock scored a career-high 39 points to power West Greene to a 61-49 road win over Hundred (W.Va.).

West Greene (3-5) led 27-20 and with brudnock leading the way was bale to protect the lead in the second half. Brudnock helped the Pioneers secure the win by making seven free throws in the fourth quarter.

Travis McCoy led Hundred with 25 points and Skylar Goff had 10.

Clairton 71, Charleroi 52: Khori Fusco scored a game-high 31 points and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Charleroi tournament as it downed the host Cougars, 71-52.

Dakari Bradford and Keishawn Wright balanced the scoring for Clairton (6-1) with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Bears built a 36-26 halftime lead, primarily because of a 24-point first quarter.

Charleroi (3-7) was led by a team-high 17 points from Cameron Carter. Caleb Carson also finished in double figures for the Cougars with 13 points.