Big numbers add up to big-time points

Numbers.

The Dribbler is in awe of the two BIG ones produced by WPIAL players late last week.

Wow! You can’t spell it without O and W. Those just happen to be the initials of Bethel Park’s Olivia Westphal, who put up 45 points in an out-of-this-world performance at Mars.

Heckuva — as in a heckuva game — should have had a capital V and C after Vinnie Cugini of Aquinas Academy exploded for 55 points in an overtime win against Nazareth Prep.

Speaking of numbers, why is six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine.

Once The Dribbler went to a yard sale and asked to buy a three-foot-long ruler.

Westphal (girls) and Cugini (boys) now rule the kingdom of “most points scored this season by a WPIAL player.”

The Dribbler is not even sure he can count that high despite the fact that he’s enjoying two counts as he writes this with his trusty pencil. Count Chocula is in his bowl and the Count from Sesame Street on his television.

Hey, if a No. 2 pencil is the most popular, why is it No. 2?

Scoring isn’t everything. Assists, rebounds, steals and blocks are big deals, too, but kudos to Westphal and Cugini for generating some amazing scoring numbers.

The Dribbler must improve his numbers, and improve them fast. He went 3-4 in Week 3, moving him to 1211 on the season.

Here are his thoughts on this week’s top games:

Boys

Winchester Thurston at Greensburg Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m. Friday — Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship. In a perfect world, Winchester Thurston wouldn’t be the Bears. It would be the Winchester Thurston Howells. Gilligan’s Island, baby! The Dribbler is more professor than he is millionaire. He believes Friday it will be the Winchester Thurston Winners. Winner: Winchester Thurston. Hempfield at Fox Chapel, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

— No need to own nail clippers if you’re a fan of these two teams. Chances are you’ll bite them off before the final buzzer. Entering the week, four of Fox Chapel’s past five games were decided by three points or fewer. The same can be said about Hempfield and its past three games. Eli Yofan and Fox Chapel will keep the momentum going from last Friday’s win against Upper St. Clair. Winner: Fox Chapel.

Quaker Valley at Montour, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday — The Dribbler will be frank with you. Quaker Valley’s Markus Frank is a talented player. Frank scored 19 points in a loss to Montour earlier this month. Since then, the Quakers have won three games in a row. That includes section wins of 31 and 37 points. This won’t be nearly as lopsided. Look for it to be similar to the one-point contest these two played Jan. 8. It will just produce a different winner. Winner: Quaker Valley.

Neshannock at Beaver Falls, 7:30 p.m. Friday — Knock knock! Who’s there? Neshannock. Neshannock who? There’s no punchline here. It’s just to say that Neshannock is knocking on the door as a WPIAL title contender in Class 3A. Somewhat quietly, the Lancers are off to a 8-0 start. Beaver Falls is talented and lengthy, and they have more name recognition in boys basketball than Neshannock, but these Lancers are for real. Winner: Neshannock.

Girls

Norwin at North Allegheny, 6:30 p.m. Friday — The Dribbler’s doctor told him he needs to watch his sodium intake. His reply, “OK, as long as I don’t have to cut back on watching NA.” Get it? This North Allegheny team does. The Tigers have been a thing of beauty so far, winning all of their games by double digits. It’s always tough to pick against Norwin. Brian Brozeski is a terrific coach. But this time, it will be “Norlose,” not Norwin. Winner: North Allegheny.

Bishop Canevin at Rochester, 4:30 p.m. Saturday — Over the past five seasons, these two have combined to win five WPIAL titles. Bishop Canevin three and Rochester two. Rochester is the clear-cut No. 1 in Class 1A this season. How good is Bishop Canevin? Tough to say. The Crusaders have only played two games, but they’ve won them both. With the ‘Sister Act’ of Alexis and Mekenzie Robison, the Rams will roll. Winner: Rochester.

Bethel Park at Upper St. Clair, 7:30 p.m. Monday — It’s the “Battle for South Hills Village.” The Dribbler made his way over there a few weeks ago to get some takeout deep dish pizza at BJ’s Brewhouse. It was sublime, aside from the sauce stains he got on his shirt. These teams have only one stain on their records. Bethel Park lost to Trinity and USC fell to North Allegheny. With Olivia Westphal on its side, it’s hard to pick against Bethel right now. Winner: Bethel Park.

Avonworth at Brentwood, 7:30 p.m. Monday — What does a lion call an antelope? Fast food. What does Brentwood call the Avonworth Antelopes? Like the Spartans, a contender for the Class 3A Section 3 title. Playing good basketball has been a “Daly” occurrence for Brentwood, which boasts sisters Maura and Mallory Daly. The two combined to score 38 points in a recent win against South Allegheny. Monday, the Dalys will shine again. Winner: Brentwood.