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WPIAL basketball finals game capsules

By The Tribune-Review Friday, March 1, 2002
WPIAL finals

Boys

Class AAAA

New Castle (27-0) vs. Uniontown (25-1)

  • When, where: 12 p.m., Saturday at Palumbo Center

  • Coaches: John Sarandrea, New Castle; Dave Shuck, Uniontown

  • Starting lineups - New Castle: Leon Ward, 6-0, Jr., G; Dante Spino, 6-0, Sr., G; Mark DeMonaco, 5-9, Sr., G; Dom Joseph, 6-2, Sr., F; Hoover Gibson, 6-4, Sr., C; Uniontown: David Winfrey, 5-10, Sr., G; Terrence Vaughns, 5-11, Sr., G; Dierre Jenkins, 6-2, Sr., G; Chris Jacobs, 6-1, Sr., F; Carl Farrell, 6-2, Sr., F

  • The skinny: Top-seeded Uniontown will use tremendous quickness, an all-senior lineup and a trio of 1,000-point scorers against undefeated No. 2-seed New Castle. Vaughns (19.2), Jenkins (14.8) and Jacobs have all reached 1,000 points for their careers. Uniontown, ranked No. 1 in the state by the Harrisburg Patriot-News, has won 16 in a row since losing in the Las Vegas Holiday Tournament on Dec. 22. The Red Raiders haven't won a WPIAL title since taking home the Class AAA crown in 1981. New Castle is trying to become only the second team to win the WPIAL Class AAAA title with an undefeated record, joining Norwin in 1986. Joseph (17.9 ppg) leads the Red Hurricanes, who have won four titles since 1993. DeMonaco runs the offense, Spino is a sharp outside shooter and Gibson is a tough inside player. New Castle scrimmaged Uniontown in the pre-season, Uniontown won by six points. New Castle needs to go hard from the opening whistle to have a chance. They played an uninspired first half against Kiski Area and then turned it on for the victory. New Castle has never lost at Palumbo Center under Sarandrea.

  • Prediction: New Castle 69, Uniontown 67

    Class AAA

    Steel Valley (23-3) vs. Highlands (25-1)

  • When, where: 9 p.m., today, at Palumbo Center

  • Coaches: Rich Falter, Highlands; Rick Dunmire, Steel Valley

  • Starting lineups - Highlands: Brad Witucki, 5-10, Sr., G; Clark Witucki, 5-10, Jr., G; Chic Murdock, 6-0, Sr., G; Matt Bonislawski, 6-5, Sr., F; Adam Kostewicz, 6-6, Sr., C; Steel Valley: Rob Colasante, 5-6, Jr., G; Chad Reagan, 5-10, Jr., G; Luke Getsy, 6-3, Sr., G-F; Sean Baker, 6-0, Sr., G-F; Ian Glenn, 6-3, Sr., F

  • The skinny: Top-seeded Highlands is seeking its first WPIAL Class AAA title since 1995. The Golden Rams, ranked No. 2 in the state, are led by four-year starters Bonislawski (17.7 ppg) and Brad Witucki (15.2 ppg), who are among four starters who average in double figures. Highlands, which has won 12 in a row since losing to Knoch, 49-48, on Jan. 8, is one of the highest-scoring teams in the state at 73.1 points per game, but the Golden Rams have gone seven games in a row without topping the 80-point mark. By contrast, they scored 80 points or more nine times in their first 19 games. Bonislawski, who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cap his 30-point, 16-rebound semifinal effort against No. 4 West Mifflin, is a versatile player with an accurate outside shot. He has eight 3-pointers in two playoff games. He will likely be guarded by another two-sport athlete who doubles in the fall as an all-WPIAL quarterback. Getsy, a Pitt football recruit, averages 14.0 points per game and leads a tenacious Steel Valley defense. The Ironmen have held 24 of their 26 opponents to 60 or fewer points, including No. 2-seeded Blackhawk to a season-low 37 points in the semifinal victory. Steel Valley, the No. 3 seed, is making its first WPIAL title-game appearance since the school was formed in 1971 in a merger with Homestead and Munhall.

  • Prediction: Highlands 64, Steel Valley 58 Class AA

    Sto-Rox (23-1) vs. Beaver Falls (24-2)

  • When, where: 2 p.m., Saturday, at Palumbo Center

  • Coaches: Bill Minear, Sto-Rox; Doug Biega, Beaver Falls

  • Starting lineups - Sto-Rox: Adam DiMichele, 6-1, So., G; Mike Mott, 5-11, Sr., G; Davon Huger, 6-6, So., G-F; John Geiger, 6-4, So., G-F; Kellen Kyles, 6-4, Sr., F; Beaver Falls: Alan Karczewski, 5-10, Jr., G; Rodney Slappy, 6-0, Jr, G; Kenneth Johnson, 6-3, Jr., G; Tyrone Goosby, 6-3, Sr., F; Leo Clements, 6-5, Sr., F-C

  • The skinny: Top-seeded Sto-Rox, the defending WPIAL Class AA champion, has won 22 in a row since a 52-49 loss to Class AAAA Chartiers Valley. DiMichele is an intense floor leader who does it all. Mott is a bonafide scorer and Huger is a formidable inside presence. Sto-Rox has allowed only one team to top 60 points this season and held seven different teams, including Hopewell, South Fayette, Seton-La Salle and Mohawk, to their lowest point-total of the 2001-02 season. Sto-Rox needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Vikings don't have much depth on the bench. Beaver Falls, the No. 3 seed, has won 15 in a row, losing only to New Castle and Aliquippa this season. The Tigers are shooting for their sixth WPIAL title. Johnson is emerging as a star. He is averaging nearly 20 points a game over the past month, highlighted by a 35-point outburst in the semifinal victory over Wilkinsburg. Slappy and Goosby, who played for Beaver Falls' WPIAL Class AA runner-up football team, are active defenders. Clements could be a key to the game.

  • Prediction: Sto-Rox 58, Beaver Falls 56 Class A

    Duquesne (23-3) vs. Monessen (21-5)

  • When, where: 7 p.m. today, Palumbo Center

  • Coaches: Montel Staples, Duquesne; Joe Salvino, Monessen

  • Starting lineups - Duquesne: Jerome Corbett, 6-0, Sr., G; Dan Demery, 6-2, Sr., F; Windell Brown, 6-2, Jr., F; Ralph Smith, 6-1, Sr., G; Cye Beatty, 5-10, Jr., G; Monessen: Brandon Jackson, 6-3, Sr., G; A.J. Jackson, 6-5, Jr., C; Scott Myshin, 6-0, Jr., G; Rick Tyburski, 5-6, Sr., G; Matt Dent, 6-3, Jr., G

  • The skinny: This is the third meeting this season between the two Section 3-A rivals. Top-seeded Monessen won, 64-57, on Jan. 11, and lost at Duquesne, 74-57, in the Feb. 8 regular-season finale {ed} Monessen's only loss to a Class A team this season. The Jacksons are not related, but they work well on the floor, combining to average more than 40 points per game. A.J. had 22 rebounds in the first game against Duquesne, and Brandon had a game-high 27 points in the rematch. Myshin is an underrated player who averaged 14.5 points this season against Duquesne, the defending WPIAL Class A champion. The Dukes have tremendous quickness and a well-balanced offense led by Corbett (21.0 ppg) and Demery (16.0 ppg). The No. 3-seeded Dukes are working toward their sixth WPIAL title since 1992 and seventh overall. Regardless, this will be the 13th consecutive season that a Section 3-A team has won the WPIAL Class A championship.

  • Prediction: Duquesne 64, Monessen 61 Girls

    Class AAAA

    Oakland Catholic (25-2) vs. Upper St. Clair (25-2)

  • When, where: 6 p.m., Saturday, Sewall Center

  • Coaches: Suzie McConnell-Serio, Oakland Catholic; Ernie Koontz, Upper St. Clair

  • Starting lineups - Oakland Catholic: Brianne O'Rourke, 5-6, Fr., G; Meg Bulger, 5-11, Jr., G; Christiana Lackner, 6-0, Jr., F; Eve Pyle, 6-0, Fr., F; Meghan Vasilisin, 6-0, Sr., F; Upper St. Clair: Julia Rectenwald, 5-5, Jr., G; Leigh Sulkowski, 5-11, Sr., G; Jamie Allenbaugh, 5-11, Jr., F; Jen Burke, 5-9, Jr., G; Kyra Kaylor, 5-11, Jr., F

  • The skinny: Three-time defending WPIAL Class AAAA champion Oakland Catholic has size, speed and skill. The top-seeded Eagles are led by Bulger, who is averaging 22.2 points per game and being courted by major Division I programs from around the nation. Bulger is the only returning starter from last year's PIAA Class AAAA champion. Freshmen O'Rourke and Pyle have made a seamless transfer from middle-school ball to the Quad A level. Junior F Audrey Tabon, senior G Renee Shehady and freshman G Sara Bucar come off the bench. USC point guard Rectenwald will need to handle the Oakland Catholic defensive pressure. No. 2-seed Upper St. Clair is looking for its fourth WPIAL title since 1993. Richmond-bound Sulkowski (21.8 ppg) is one of the area's best players, and Kaylor, who scored 26 points in the semifinal victory over Hempfield, is a strong inside player.

  • Prediction: Oakland Catholic 65, Upper St. Clair 58

    Class AAA

    Moon (24-2) vs. North Catholic (23-3)

  • When, where: 4 p.m., Saturday, at Sewall Center

  • Coaches: Tom Szczepankowski, Moon; Molly Rottmann, North Catholic

  • Starting lineups - Moon: Erin Smith, 5-7, Sr., G: Nia Capuano, 5-10, So., G; Megan Gallagher, 5-6, Sr., G; Erin Wigley, 6-1, Jr., F; Elizabeth Martin, 5-1, Fr., G; North Catholic: Courtney Janczak, 5-5, Sr., G; Jaclyn Sklarsky, 5-7, So., G; Sarah Miller, 6-0, So. F; Rachel Frederick, 5-10, Fr., F; Sara Prybyl, 5-11, So., F

  • The skinny: Top-seeded North Catholic is back in the WPIAL finals seeking its 12th crown but only the first since coach Don Barth's 1995 team. Frederick is the biggest season for the resurgence atop Troy Hill. She is one of the state's elite freshman, scoring 24 points in the semifinal victory over Chartiers Valley. She leads the team in virtually every offensive category and could erase her coach's scoring records at North Catholic before she is done. Rottmann also gets depth off the bench from 5-10 junior F Beth Rittle, senior G Kate Lamb and junior F Missy Cicuto. North Catholic, the most storied program in the history of Pennsylvania girls basketball, is making its 21st berth in the WPIAL finals since 1978. No. 2-seeded Moon, which routed Mars and Blackhawk to reach the finals, has never won a WPIAL basketball title. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the state behind only Allentown Central Catholic. Wigley (17.5 ppg) is a dominant inside player and will need to stay out of foul trouble against a rotating North Catholic frontline. Smith (11.8 ppg) is a 1,000-point scorer, and Capuano, the daughter of Moon football coach Mark Capuano, is a gifted outside shooter.

  • Prediction: Moon 56, North Catholic 55

    Class AA

    Vincentian (23-2) vs. Greensburg Central Catholic (26-1)

  • When, where: 2 p.m., Saturday at Sewall Center

  • Coaches: Eric Mozzetti, Vincentian; Ed Pultz, Greensburg Central Catholic

  • Starting lineups - Vincentian: Renee Robinson, 5-9, Sr., G; Shaunna Ambrose, 5-9, Sr., G; Ashlee Havrilla, 5-4, Sr., G; Aimee Covel, 5-10, Jr., F; Maria Medley, 6-4, Jr., C; Greensburg Central Catholic: Monica Mull, 5-10, So., G; Arlene Mull, 6-1, Jr., G; Cheyenne Noble, 6-0, Jr., G; Lea Stern, 6-1, Jr., F; Jessica Straw, 5-11, Jr., G

  • The skinny: Top-seeded Vincentian is vying for its third WPIAL title in a row. The Lady Royals won the Class A crown in 1999-2000, and the Class AA trophy last year. They haven't lost to a WPIAL Class AA team since December 2000 (at Avonworth), a streak of 31 consecutive victories. The glue is Robinson, an American University recruit averaging 15.0 points per game. She is a poised and unflappable guard who directs a balanced offense for last year's PIAA Class AA runner-up. An ankle injury has hobbled Vincentian's other 1,000-point scorer, Ambrose, but the Niagara recruit remains a dual-threat. Havrilla is a scrappy guard and the 6-foot-4 Medley, one of the WPIAL's tallest girls, alters many shots. As always, coach Mozzetti's team wins with waves of pressure defense that can fluster even the most experienced backcourts. Vincentian, which lost to Quad A Butler and Class AAA Blackhawk this season, has scored at least 80 points eight times. The Lady Royals also possess a killer instinct, winning games by scores such as 98-21, 82-12 and 89-13. Greensburg Central Catholic has the size to contend with Vincentian, with all five starters listed at 5-10 or taller. Noble, a dynamic player, is the team's leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. The key will be how PG Monica Mull handles the Vincentian pressure and which team has the rebounding edge. No. 2 seed Greensburg, which won the 1997 WPIAL Class AA title, has lost only to Quad A Butler this season.

  • Prediction: Vincentian 62, Greensburg Central Catholic 54

    Class A

    Clairton (18-6) vs. Mt. Alvernia (20-5)

  • When, where: 12 p.m., Saturday at the Sewall Center

  • Coaches: Jes Hutson, Clairton; De Porucznik, Mt. Alvernia

  • Starting lineups - Clairton: Camille Sinker, 5-6, Jr., G; Stashia Jackson, 5-7, Jr., G; Kamela Gissendanner, 6-1, Jr., F; Tisha Hines, 5-9, Sr., F; Kanessa McBride, 5-3, So., G; Mt. Alvernia: Leann Wisniewski, 5-4, Fr., G; Jordana Gracenin, 5-8, Sr., G; Ashley Rothwell, 5-9, Fr., F; Crystal Squires, 5-9, Jr., F; January Baker, 6-1, Fr., C

  • The skinny: Defending WPIAL Class A champion Clairton has won 16 of its past 17 games since a sluggish 2-5 start. The top-seeded Bears feature Gissendanner (31.0 ppg), one of the state's most coveted juniors. She scored 35 against Monessen in the semifinals and can overwhelm all but the best Class A players. Comparisons to McKeesport's Swin Cash are not hyperbole. Porucznik probably still has nightmares about Gissendanner's 44-point, 25-rebound, seven-block shot effort against Mt. Alvernia in last year's WPIAL playoffs. Squires and Baker, a freshman, will need to play the game of their lives. Mt. Alvernia, which has two 1,000-point scorers in Gracenin and Squires, won back-to-back titles in 1997-98.

  • Prediction: Clairton 45, Mt. Alvernia 36

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