Team 3A battles back in 139-130 win
Evan Brown lobbed the ball up and Nelly Cummings didn’t break stride as he polished off the alley-oop.
In the Roundball Classic game where most teammates are usually opponents in the regular season, two Lincoln Park players connected to help Team 3A come from behind to beat Team 4A, 139-130, Saturday at Geneva College.
“We got a few rebounds and made some shots, basically, that’s what the game comes down to,” Team 3A and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic coach Dave Long said. “It was fun, though, it was enjoyable experience. And I think the competition and the way the game has been, it’s enjoyable for the players as well the parents.”
Matt Popeck, a guard from Washington, led Team 3A in scoring with 22 points and was named the team’s MVP. Team 4A’s MVP was Beaver Falls forward Josh Creach, who had a gamehigh 31 points.
In the waning minutes, High School Roundball Classic Team 3A battled back from a 92-81 second-half deficit. A layup by Southmoreland guard Tommy Pisula cut Team 4A’s lead to 108-97 with 9:50 to play, but two baskets by Ambridge’s Nick Campalong kept 4A in the lead. Carlynton’s Courtney Mickens grabbed a rebound, cutting Team 4A’s lead to 111105, before back-to-back layups by Cummings brought 3A within two points with 5:28 on the clock.
Avonworth’s Garrett Day sunk a 3 to give Team 3A a 122-121 lead, and another 3 by Brown stretched the lead to 127-121, leaving 3A able to run out the clock. Day finished with 16 points.
In typical all-star game fashion, the game featured a straight up-and-down the court pace with minimal defense and players often trying for dunks.
Long said the players transition to playing with different people easily.
“All those guys have been around the game for so many years, they hardly miss a beat,” Long said. “They know the game and love playing it and they recognize the skills and abilities of other players so it’s kind of a mutual admiration.”
With the help of Cummings, Team 3A pulled ahead in the first half. A 3 by Cummings put Team 3A up, 49-39, with 3:39 to play, and Cummings added another layup to keep a 10-point lead on Team 3A’s next possession. Team 4A rallied for six consecutive points and entered halftime down, 51-47.
Four minutes into the second half, South Fayette’s Matt Thomas made a layup and a jumper, claiming a 5554 lead for Team 4A. The two teams exchanged the lead, but a dunk by Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic’s Kenny Fukon gave Team 3A a 67-64 lead at 22:30 in the second half.
As the second half progressed, Team 4A found an offensive rhythm and pulled away. A jumper by Indiana’s Jake Benhart made it 92-81, Team 4A, with 13:30 to play, as second-half turnovers hurt Team 3A before its rally.
Girls games
The first Roundball Classic girls game featured a Team 3A/2A/1A/City matchup with Team District 6 & 10. With 10 points by Chartiers-Houston guard Ja’la Walker, who won the team’s MVP award, Team 3A/2A/1A/City won a close one, 69-64, at Geneva College.
Laura Montecalvo of Chartiers-Houston coached the winning team.
Team District 6 & 10 was led by Farrell forward Matyra Evans, who scored 11 points.
Team 6A glided to a 95-67 win against Team 5A/4A in the second girls game of the Roundball Classic. Coached by Jonna Burke of Bethel Park, Team 6A was aided by Norwin forward and team MVP Abigail Gabauer’s 15 points.
Forward Sam Breen of Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic led Team 5A/4A in scoring with 18 points and was named MVP.