Most people won’t give West Mifflin any shot of beating top-seeded Lincoln Park in the next round, but the Titans made sure to pocket at least one playoff win before their season ends.
Led by 13 points from Jordan Lucas-Johnson and 10 from Aaron Smith, No. 17-seeded West Mifflin (10-12) knocked off No. 16 host Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A boys preliminary matchup, 46-35. The Titans now move on to face the No. 1 Leopards Monday in a first-round showdown.
Teegan Finucan led the Knights (8-15) with eight points.
Other boys games
• Andrew Corfield led four players in double figures for South Side with a game-high 21 points in a 69-47 Class 1A preliminary-round victory against Carmichaels (12-11). Jacob Strisna added 17, Carter Wilson scored 12 and Brody Almashy tacked on 11 for the No. 15 Rams (8-15), who advance to face No. 2 Bishop Canevin Tuesday in the Round of 16. Tyler Richmond led the Mighty Mikes with 18 points.
• Laban Barker scored a game-high 24 points to lead No. 16 Laurel (7-16) to a 56-46 win against visiting Bentworth in the Class 2A preliminary round. Landon Urcho finished a team-leading 18 points in the season-ending loss for the Bearcats (12-11). The Spartans advance to face No. 1 Aliquippa Tuesday in a first-round matchup.
Girls games
• Megan Marston led all scorers with 23 points to power Plum (13-10) to a 46-38 win against visiting Montour in Class 5A preliminary-round action. Pascale Olczak added 11 points in the win for the No. 16 Mustangs, who now move on to face defending WPIAL champion and top-seeded South Fayette Tuesday in the first round. Raegan Kadlecik finished with 16 points to lead the Spartans (8-15).
• Cali Legzdin and Avina Norman finished with 10 points apiece to lead No. 17 Beaver Falls (10-11) to a 40-32 win at No. 16 Yough in a Class 3A preliminary-round battle. Mikahla Chewning led all scorers with 13 points for the Cougars (10-12), while the Tigers advance to face No. 1 Shady Side Academy Saturday in a first-round clash.
Hot from deep
Players with 3 or more 3-pointers: Aaron Smith, West Mifflin, 3.
Steve is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at srotstein@unionprogress.com.
