Friday basketball rundown: Chartiers Valley boys maintain winning ways at Mt. Lebanon

The 2021-22 season was a forgettable one for Chartiers Valley and coach Brandon Sensor, so the Colts are trying to turn the page as quickly as possible.

So far, so good.

Chartiers Valley (5-0) kept up its scorching start with a 66-51 win at Mt. Lebanon that the Colts controlled from start to finish, outscoring the Blue Devils (2-2) in all four quarters while silencing a raucous crowd.

“It’s early in the year, but that was a playoff-type atmosphere with the fans and the student sections. When you’re coaching and you’re going out and the guys can’t hear you, that makes it a little challenging, but it’s fun,” Sensor said. “I don’t want to say I’m surprised, but the guys definitely played up to the moment, if you will.”

Sophomore sensation Jayden Davis led all players with 23 points, and senior Drew Sleva contributed 14 for Chartiers Valley. Lucas Garofoli led Mt. Lebanon with 15 points.

“[Davis is] playing so much better just all around,” Sensor said. “Sharing the ball, shooting at a higher percentage, taking better shots, making better decisions. His defense has been great.

“Tonight, I told him, ‘That was the best game you’ve played as a CV Colt.’ Just all over the court and his decision-making — he trusted his teammates, and he brought it.”

Lincoln Park boys survive scare from Beaver

Meleek Thomas led all scorers with 30 points and Brandin Cummings finished with 26 for Lincoln Park (4-0, 1-0), which eked out the home win, 78-76, in a battle of undefeated teams. Brady Mayo scored a team-high 29 points, Ty Butler had 23 and Sawyer Butler finished with 18 for the Bobcats (5-1, 0-1).

Fox Chapel boys outlast Baldwin

Kam Greil scored a team-high 20 points and Erik Wilson added a career-high 18 for the Foxes (5-1, 0-0), who rebounded from their first loss off the season with a 57-54 home win against Baldwin (3-4, 0-0). Nate Richards led the Highlanders with 20 points.

Moon boys stymie Pine-Richland

After an 0-2 start, the Tigers (3-2, 0-0) have found a recipe for success. Michael Santicola led the way with 13 points in a 51-39 home win against the Rams (2-3, 0-0), who got a game-high 16 points from Owen Luellen.

Olsen carries Armstrong boys to victory

After finishing his high school football career as one of Western Pennsylvania’s most prolific passers of all-time, Cadin Olsen is wasting little time taking his talents to the hardwood. The 6-foot-5 senior scored 32 points to lead the River Hawks (6-1, 0-0) to a 67-53 road win vs. Slippery Rock.

Mohawk boys cruise past Rochester

Jay Wrona scored a game-high 28 points, including eight 3-pointers, while Bobby Fadden and Deven Sudziak each chipped in 15 for the red-hot Warriors (6-0, 0-0) in an 83-62 home win. Jerome Mullins and Xavier Rigby led the Rams (2-3, 0-0) with 17 points apiece.

Charleroi boys knock off Waynesburg

Ben Shields scored 31 points to help Cougars (3-2, 1-0) overcome a pair of 20-point scorers for the Raiders (2-5, 0-1) in a 67-59 road win to open up section play.

Neighborhood Academy remains unbeaten

Courtney Wallace scored 19 points and John Wilkins added 17 for Neighborhood Academy (5-0, 0-0) in a 59-49 home win against Nazareth Prep. Kenny Mickens led all players with 20 points for the Saints (2-2, 0-0).

Allderdice boys suffer first loss

After starting the season with four consecutive wins, the Dragons (4-1, 0-0) finally met their match in a 73-63 defeat at Erie. Major Rainey led four players in double figures for Allderdice with 16 points, while Logan Golle finished with 14, Ethan Anish 12 and Sam Kelly 11.

Indiana girls power past Penn Hills

One half of the Little Indians’ twin towers, 6-foot-3 senior Katie Kovalchick scored a game-high 24 points to lead Indiana (3-2, 1-0) to a 56-40 road win at Penn Hills (2-4, 0-1).

Three stars

*** — Makhai Valentine had no love lost for Seton LaSalle, pouring in 44 points as host Steel Valley (1-5, 1-0) snapped a five-game skid in a 74-49 blowout of the Rebels (1-4, 0-1). Valentine passed 1,000 career points in the victory.

** — After her breakout season as a freshman at Clairton, Iyanna Wade is taking her scoring prowess to a new level. The stellar sophomore scored 41 points in a 54-47 loss at Allderdice (2-6, 0-0) and is now averaging 45 ppg through the first two games of the year for the Bears (1-1, 0-0).

* — His 10 points might not turn too many heads, but the biggest shot of the night belonged to Jake Pollaro of North Hills. Pollaro banked in a go-ahead 3-pointer with less than three seconds remaining to lift the Indians (4-1, 0-0) to a 55-53 win at Seneca Valley (1-4, 0-0).