Beaver’s Brady Mayo and Avonworth’s Rowan Carmichael are two of the leading scorers in the WPIAL playing for heated section rivals, and they also happen to be close friends who have played together for the AAU team PK Flash since junior high.
After Carmichael fouled out Friday night late in regulation though, it was Mayo and the Bobcats who stood alone, as visiting Beaver (18-4, 8-2) came out on top in overtime with an action-packed, 76-75 victory over the Antelopes (17-4, 8-2). With the win, the Bobcats also secured a share of the Class 4A Section 2 title, along with a likely top-four seed for the WPIAL playoffs.
“[The bus ride home was] electric,” Mayo said. “Everyone was super excited. It’s one of the best feelings you can have. We’re just really looking forward to getting into the playoffs and making some more noise.”
A multi-sport standout who will play football at Bucknell in the fall, Mayo entered the game ranked third in the WPIAL with an average of 26.4 points per game. Carmichael, meanwhile, has all but locked up the scoring title with an average of 32.4 ppg. Carmichael finished with 31 points while converting five 3-pointers before fouling out in the fourth quarter, but Mayo was the star of the show, tallying a career-high 45 points in the nail-biting win.
“You know, being teammates, we know each other’s game. We practice together all the time,” Mayo said. “It’s crazy, because we always knew these games would happen. He got the best of me the first time [a 57-53 Avonworth win Jan. 14], but I wasn’t going to let it go that way this time.”
Mayo’s tying free throws with just over a minute remaining sent the game to overtime, then Junior Marino and Jake Peluso took turns knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers to give Beaver a slight edge in the extra period. Avonworth cut the deficit to one with two free throws by Noah Goetz with 38.6 seconds to play, but the Antelopes couldn’t get off a shot on their final possession as the Bobcats dived on a loose ball to seal the win.
Marino tacked on 15 points for Beaver, while Goetz racked up 25 points for Avonworth.
“Every game in this section was a war,” Mayo said. “There were really no slouches in our section. Every game we came prepared and ready to go. I think we’re battle-tested and ready to go.
“I just think we’re playing together as a team and playing great team defense. The offense will come and go, but if we really lock down defensively, I think we can beat anyone in [Class] 4A.”
It has been a remarkable season for the Bobcats under new coach Jason Bumblis, who has guided Beaver to only its fourth section title in nearly 100 years as a program. Mayo said the team has welcomed Bumblis with open arms, and the fit has proven to be a near-perfect match.
“We love him. He’s a great coach. He really makes us work defensively,” Mayo said. “I think he’s really pushed us to the edge in some of these big close games. We have really embraced him.”
Other boys games
• With the Class 1A Section 1 crown hanging in the balance, Nazareth Prep outlasted Aquinas Academy in a 57-56 thriller to sweep the season series and clinch the section title. Will Evans posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds to go with 6 blocked shots for the Saints (17-4, 10-0), and Mikey Keyes added 14 points. Jake Guillen led all scorers with 24 points to pace four players in double figures for the Crusaders (17-4, 8-1).
• In another low-scoring, defensive affair between heated Class 6A Section 2 rivals Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon, the defending WPIAL champion Panthers swept the season series with a 41-31 home win. Niko Gidas drained four 3-pointers en route to a game-high 16 points for Upper St. Clair (20-2, 13-1) to go with 12 points from Tyler Robbins, while Carter Gould finished with 9 points to lead the Blue Devils (14-7, 9-5).
• Star big man Ama Sow towered above the competition once again for Montour, posting another double-double with 23 points and 20 rebounds to lead the host Spartans to a 60-50 triumph against defending WPIAL champion Moon in Class 5A Section 4. Kaleb Platz and Colton Straight finished with 14 points apiece for Montour (20-1, 12-0), while Carter Tumulty led a trio of double-digit scorers for the Tigers (17-4, 8-3) with 18 points.
• Continuing its strong season under new coach Corey Dotchin, Chartiers Valley pulled away in the fourth quarter to outlast Mars for a 61-50 road win in Class 5A Section 4. Jayden Davis led the way with 21 points for the Colts (19-3, 10-2), followed by 12 from Julian Semplice and 11 from Danny Slizik. Austin Campbell had 21 points for the Planets (12-10, 6-6) to go with 10 from Will Wilson.
• Gateway maintained its position in second place in Class 5A Section 1, outlasting rival McKeesport in enemy territory for a hotly contested 56-52 win. Mykel Bruce-McGrommins led three double-digit scorers for the Gators (12-8, 10-4) with 17 points, followed by 14 from Dyson Harper and 12 from Jax Vovaris. Lamont Perkins led all scorers with 21 points for the Tigers (7-15, 4-10) to go with 13 from Matt Sebelia.
• Three players poured in 20-plus points for Northgate (12-8, 9-2) as the Flames turned up the heat in a 97-66 victory at Propel Braddock Hills in Class 2A Section 2. Ty Daniels led the way with a game-high 26 points, followed by 21 from Des Williams and 20 Kadeen Kemp. Ky Rutherford also tacked on 16 points in the win. Jarrell Santiago led four players in double figures for Propel Braddock Hills (2-20, 0-12) with 16 points.
• Erond Jakupi knocked down four 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 22 points for Keystone Oaks to help the host Golden Eagles (15-6, 7-3) earn a 65-48 win against Carlynton (9-12, 4-6) in Class 3A Section 2. Tulio Watts added 21 points, while Mikey Jenkins led three players in double figures for the Cougars with 12 points along with 10 apiece from Deonte Dean and Ishaga Barre.
• Noah Felentzer scored a game-high 20 points while surpassing 1,000 points for his career as Southmoreland cruised to an 87-49 win against visiting Brownsville in Class 3A Section 4. Elliot Primus added 18 and Stanley Chapman chipped in with 10 for the Scotties (17-4, 10-0), who remained perfect in section play. Preston Rosado led three players in double figures for the Falcons (4-17, 2-8) with 14 points.
• David Kwiat reached the 1,000-point plateau for his career while scoring a team-high 22 points for Neshannock (18-2, 13-1) in a 48-41 win at rival Union in Class 2A Section 4. Tony Perrotta chipped in 13 points along with 11 from Jake Rynd. Lucas Stanley led all scorers with 23 points for the Scotties (16-6, 10-4).
• Yale recruit Courtney Wallace registered his 15th triple-double of the season with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for Neighborhood Academy (21-1, 10-0), leading the Bulldogs to a lopsided 76-42 win at St. Joseph (7-14, 2-8). Kedron Gilmore tacked on 16 points, while Syncer Nicholson contributed 15 and Shamar Simpson added 12.
• Lukas Stead led all scorers with 23 points for three-time defending City League champion Allderdice (12-9, 9-0) to go with 17 from Asher Schwartz in an 83-39 blowout win at Perry (1-15, 1-7). Deonte Herring and Keith Johnson each tallied 10 points to lead the Commodores.
Girls games
• Shaler secured a share of the Class 5A Section 1 title on its home court, avenging a narrow loss last month at Franklin Regional (15-6, 11-1) with a convincing 51-22 win in the rematch. Bailey Perez outscored the Panthers with a game-high 23 points, while sophomores Olivia Gieraltowski and Reese Smetanka followed with 13 points apiece for the Titans (20-2, 11-1).
• After trailing by five points entering the final quarter, Peters Township pulled out a come-from-behind 44-40 win against rival Bethel Park to remain unbeaten in section play. Bri Morreale scored a game-high 14 points while Daniela Radulovich added 12 for the Indians (19-2, 12-0), who outscored the Black Hawks, 13-4, in the fourth quarter. Ella Sabatos finished with a team-leading 13 points for Bethel Park (10-10, 6-5).
• Anna Bradley drained five 3-pointers while leading all scorers with 23 points for Avonworth (13-7, 9-4), and Greta O’Brien followed with 22 points for the Antelopes in a 71-26 rout against visiting Ligonier Valley (7-14, 5-9) in Class 3A Section 2. Ruby Smith led the Rams with 8 points.
Three stars
*** — Jared Astorino, Ambridge. Astorino became the third member of his family to join the 1,000-point club, joining father Eric and older brother Damon with a game-high 27 points as the Bridgers lost a Class 4A Section 2 clash at Hopewell, 74-52.
** — Joe Campoli, Shenango. Campoli caught fire from beyond the arc for the Wildcats, burying eight 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 40 points in a 77-49 win against visiting Rochester in Class 2A Section 4.
* — Kylie Fruehstorfer, Union. The Scotties’ standout senior delivered a game for the ages against Winchester Thurston, drilling eight 3-pointers while scoring a school-record 50 points to help unbeaten Union eke out a 60-53 non-section win.
Hot from deep
Players with 3 or more 3-pointers: Joe Campoli, Shenango, 8; Kylie Fruehstorfer, Union, 8; Carter Tumulty, Moon, 6; Jonah Williamson, Trinity, 6; Edwardo Benitez, Cornell, 5; Anna Bradley, Avonworth, 5; Rowan Carmichael, Avonworth, 5; Colin Keller, Kiski Area, 5; Austin Campbell, Mars, 4; Andrew Gettinger, Butler, 4; Niko Gidas, Upper St. Clair, 4; Erond Jakupi, Keystone Oaks, 4; Mikey Jenkins, Carlynton, 4; Brady Mayo, Beaver, 4; Evan Skinner, Riverside, 4; Grant Spacciapolli, Pine-Richland, 4; Lucas Stanley, Union, 4; Drew Wrona, Mohawk, 4; Rasaun Banks, Aliquippa, 3; Ralphie Blundo, New Castle, 3; Bobby Fadden, Mohawk, 3; Cam Glenn, Penn Hills, 3; Carter Gould, Mt. Lebanon, 3; David Kwiat, Neshannock, 3; Markus McGowen, Jeannette, 3; Jake Peluso, Beaver, 3; Justin Stalter, North Allegheny, 3; Josie Strom, Steel Valley, 3; Sean Thelk, Peters Township, 3.
Scoreboard
Boys scores
WPIAL Class 6A
Section 1
Butler 50, Fox Chapel 43
New Castle 72, North Allegheny 52
Pine-Richland 64, Seneca Valley 34
Woodland Hills 59, North Hills 34
Section 2
Canon-McMillan 61, Connellsville 59
Hempfield 49, Norwin 32
Upper St. Clair 41, Mt. Lebanon 31
WPIAL Class 5A
Section 1
Gateway 56, McKeesport 52
Latrobe 86, Albert Gallatin 78
Penn-Trafford 74, Laurel Highlands 67
Uniontown 73, Franklin Regional 54
Section 2
Indiana 61, Plum 49
Kiski Area 68, Penn Hills 61
Shaler 59, Hampton 48
Section 3
Baldwin 66, Thomas Jefferson 57
Peters Township 54, Bethel Park 42
Ringgold 68, Trinity 67
Section 4
Chartiers Valley 61, Mars 50
Montour 60, Moon 50
West Allegheny 66, Lincoln Park 56
WPIAL Class 4A
Section 1
Highlands 76, Valley 49
Knoch 76, Freeport 35
North Catholic 69, Deer Lakes 60
Section 2
Beaver 76, Avonworth 75 (OT)
Central Valley 63, Quaker Valley 45
Hopewell 74, Ambridge 52
Section 3
East Allegheny 54, Yough 53
Elizabeth Forward 65, Derry 50
West Mifflin 58, Greensburg Salem 44
WPIAL Class 3A
Section 1
Aliquippa 70, Ellwood City 53
Mohawk 67, Freedom 27
Riverside 65, New Brighton 36
Section 2
Bishop Canevin 69, Sto-Rox 37
Keystone Oaks 65, Carlynton 48
McGuffey 59, Washington 36
Section 3
Shady Side Academy 41, Seton LaSalle 34
South Allegheny 73, Steel Valley 50
South Park 58, Apollo-Ridge 24
Section 4
Ligonier Valley 65, Charleroi 48
Southmoreland 87, Brownsville 49
Waynesburg 76, Mount Pleasant 60
WPIAL Class 2A
Section 1
Bentworth 58, Frazier 44
Greensburg C.C. 53, Springdale 40
Jeannette 60, Clairton 45
Riverview 65, California 28
Section 2
Northgate 97, Propel Braddock Hills 66
Winchester Thurston 64, Eden Christian 61 (OT)
Section 3
Burgettstown 71, Mapletown 47
Chartiers-Houston 49, Jefferson-Morgan 36
Fort Cherry 73, Carmichaels 32
West Greene 64, Beth-Center 39
Section 4
Laurel 69, Western Beaver 41
Neshannock 48, Union 41
Shenango 77, Rochester 49
WPIAL Class 1A
Section 1
Avella 59, Beaver County Christian 40
Nazareth Prep 57, Aquinas Academy 56
Summit Academy 82, Cornell 67
Section 2
Geibel Catholic 71, Monessen 70 (2OT)
Neighborhood Academy 76, St. Joseph 42
Serra Catholic 77, Environmental Charter 25
City League
Allderdice 83, Perry 39
Carrick 66, Westinghouse 36
Obama Academy 60, Brashear 45
Girls scores
WPIAL Class 5A
Section 1
Penn Hills 56, Gateway 25
Shaler 51, Franklin Regional 22
Section 3
Chartiers Valley 46, Mars 42
Section 4
Peters Township 44, Bethel Park 40
WPIAL Class 3A
Section 2
Avonworth 71, Ligonier Valley 26
South Allegheny 45, Steel Valley 33
WPIAL Class 2A
Section 3
Chartiers-Houston 50, Jefferson-Morgan 10
Section 4
Ellis School 36, Apollo-Ridge 29
City League
Allderdice 79, Perry 23
Carrick 31, Westinghouse 9
Obama Academy 69, Brashear 26
Non-section
Fox Chapel 65, Woodland Hills 39
Union 60, Winchester Thurston 53
Steve is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at srotstein@unionprogress.com.
