Buccaneers make fine first impression
Newcomers win title-game debut as Royals stumble
Tri-State Sports & News Service On one bench was the fivetime defending WPIAL champion, Vincentian. On the other was Chartiers-Houston making its first trip to the final.
The top-seeded Buccaneers weren’t fazed. though, knocking off the Royals, 47-35, Thursday at Petersen Events Center.
“I am just really proud of the kids,” Chartiers- Houston coach Laura Montecalvo said. “Everyone talks about Vincentian’s history and traditions, and I would like to think we are starting one here at Chartiers-Houston. No one can ever take this away from these kids. I know it means the world to them.”
The Buccaneers (23-2) erased any nerves early, jumping to a 7-0 lead. Junior Jules Vulcano got the game going with a 3-pointer, marking the first points in a WPIAL championship game for ChartiersHouston.
“We talked to Jules all week about visualizing her shot going in,” Montecalvo said. “She is an excellent shooter. We wanted to get the ball to her
early in the game and we knew she could knock it down to get us momentum early on.”
Vincentian (20-5) trailed, 17-4, at the end of the first quarter, but had a bigger problem on their mind when their leading scorer and rebounder, Caroline Elliott, got hurt trying for a rebound.
“I was under the hoop getting a rebound, and my chin hit the floor and it split,” Elliott said. “I think I will be needing stitches. I was very upset about missing some time.
“I was excited about playing this game. I tried to come back in and play to the best of my ability.”
Elliott was able to return before halftime and finished with three points. Olivia O’Brien led the Royals with nine.
Like she has been all season, junior Alexa Williamson was a force down low, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The Buccaneers’ fastpaced tempo also played a factor early, forcing the Royals into 16 turnovers in the first half.
“I felt like we focused on having a quick start,” Montecalvo said. “We wanted to get them back on their heels.
“They do have a lot more experience in games like this.
“We just wanted to take advantage of what we thought we could do well, and that was run on them.”
After losing for the first time in the championship game in six years, the Royals will look to put this setback behind them while they prepare for the PIAA tournament that starts March 10.
“We just need to take a couple of days off,” Vincentian coach Ron Moncrief said.
“We understand that this is was a very important game, but winning the state championship is more important. There is only one state champion in Class 2A. We are going to focus our attention on that.”
Chartiers-Houston will enjoy its first WPIAL championship — for one night.
After that, it is back to the drawing board to achieve their next goal.
“I always tell the kids to enjoy a win for 24 hours and then you have to move on,” Montecalvo said.“Unfortunately, this one is no different. I think the PIAAs are the start of a new season, and we have to look at it like that. There is still part of a mountain to climb.”