With his team trailing at halftime of a pivotal Class 6A Section 2 clash against Chartiers Valley, Upper St. Clair girls coach Pete Serio didn’t panic.
After all, with a battle-tested and veteran group in his locker room that knows how to win big games, why should Serio worry about a little halftime deficit?
Despite a quiet game from standout forward Kate Robbins, the Panthers (9-2, 4-0) stormed back in the second half to pick up a crucial 65-53 road win. Sophomore Rylee Kalocay led all scorers with 21 points, while Mia Brown finished with 19 and Samantha Prunzik added 16.
“We had to really regroup and come out and fight and show our character, because Chartiers Valley played really well. They shot it well and they’re a well-rounded basketball team,” Serio said. “We just had to regroup and refocus and bring some toughness in the second half.”
Ella Cupka and Ava Shazer each scored 11 points to go with 10 apiece from Emma Reynolds and Lilah Turnbull, but it wasn’t enough for the Colts (6-4, 2-2) to hold off the surging Panthers. Upper St. Clair now has won each of its past three games by at least 12 points, with all three wins coming against section rivals Peters Township, Mt. Lebanon and Chartiers Valley — not to mention two of the three wins coming on the road.
“Our section is really difficult. If you don’t come ready to play, somebody is going to come get you,” Serio said. “Everybody is coming at us. To play Peters, Lebo and Char Valley three in a row, I’m happy with where we are.”
Other girls games
• Elsewhere in Class 6A Section 2, Payton Collins and Anna Streiff scored a team-leading 12 points apiece and Jenny Smith chipped in 10 to lead Mt. Lebanon (8-4, 4-1) to a 55-50 win against Peters Township. Natalie Walker led all scorers with 25 points for the Indians (8-5, 2-2) to go with 18 from Gemma Walker.
• Cate Clark led a balanced attack for Serra Catholic (6-1, 3-1) that saw five players score 8-plus points in a 60-22 win against Clairton (5-2, 3-1). Clarke scored 20 points to lead the Eagles along with 14 from Ashley German. Iyanna Wade scored all 22 points for the Bears.
• Mya Morgan paced four players in double figures for Greensburg Central Catholic (11-2, 4-0) with a game-high 16 points in a 59-37 win against Berlin Brothersvalley. Erica Gribble added 13 points, Avery Davis contributed 12 and Cara Dupilka finished with 10 for the Centurions.
Three stars
*** — Rakiyah Porter had 23 points to lead all scorers in a 57-28 home win for California against Bentworth.
** — Mallory Daly finished with 27 points to help Seton LaSalle break open a 41-41 tie in the fourth quarter en route to a 54-46 victory at South Allegheny.
* — Angel Henry scored a game-high 32 points for Aliquippa to guide the Quips to a 51-46 victory against host Rochester.
Hot from deep
Players with 3 or more 3-pointers: Addison Blair, Waynesburg, 4; Elle Snyder, Latrobe, 4; Mya Glisan, Albert Gallatin, 3.
Boys scores
Berlin Brothersvalley 75, Greensburg Central Catholic 55
Propel Andrew Street 51, Beaver County Christian 45
Slippery Rock 64, Ellwood City 22
Girls scores
Aliquippa 51, Rochester 46
Apollo-Ridge 50, Deer Lakes 43
Armstrong 52, Hampton 32
Baldwin 44, Canon-McMillan 42
Beaver 38, Central Valley 29
Belle Vernon 56, Laurel Highlands 41
Bishop Canevin 49, Eden Christian 38
Blackhawk 87, Ambridge 14
Brentwood 39, Carlynton 33
Burgettstown 43, Fort Cherry 36
Burrell 55, Ligonier Valley 33
California 57, Bentworth 28
Charleroi 70, South Park 60
Chartiers-Houston 51, Frazier 26
Elizabeth Forward 54, River Valley 53
Ellis School 40, Steel Valley 23
Geibel Catholic 28, Mapletown 25
Greensburg Central Catholic 59, Berlin Brothersvalley 37
Highlands 57, Derry 22
Indiana 51, Franklin Regional 27
Keystone Oaks 55, Avonworth 48
Knoch 46, Greensburg Salem 41
Latrobe 51, Albert Gallatin 44
Laurel 47, Beaver Falls 40
Lincoln Park 58, Moon 25
Mars 35, Shaler 34
McGuffey 57, Brownsville 13
Mohawk 62, Ellwood City 43
Mt. Lebanon 55, Peters Township 50
Neshannock 60, Riverside 16
New Castle 55, North Hills 53
North Catholic 74, Valley 27
Norwin 53, Hempfield 29
Our Lady of Sacred Heart 54, East Allegheny 7
Pine-Richland 50, Seneca Valley 41
Propel Montour 65, Calvary Chapel Christian 16
Quaker Valley 50, Hopewell 24
Ringgold 50, Uniontown 49
Riverview 42, Jeannette 25
Serra Catholic 60, Clairton 22
Seton LaSalle 54, South Allegheny 46
Sewickley Academy 44, New Brighton 15
Shady Side Academy 67, Mount Pleasant 34
Shenango 49, South Side 23
South Fayette 66, Montour 40
Sto-Rox 65, Northgate 30
Trinity 58, West Allegheny 34
Union 54, Sharpsville 36
Upper St. Clair 65, Chartiers Valley 53
Washington 54, Carmichaels 37
West Mifflin 71, Southmoreland 49
Winchester Thurston 52, Springdale 18
Yough 44, Waynesburg 38
Steve is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at srotstein@unionprogress.com.
