Clairton pulls upset to oust Fort Cherry
Last season’s surprise finalist knocked out early by Bears
Fort Cherry made it to a WPIAL championship game last year for the first time in 61 years. But there will be no return trip.
Fort Cherry, the No. 3 seed for the Class 2A playoffs, was upset by No. 14 Clairton, 5346, in a first- round game Tuesday night at South Fayette.
Clairton (11-12), which finished in fourth place in its section, led by 25-19 at halftime and took a 40-31 advantage into the fourth quarter. Fort Cherry (20-3) closed to within 46-43 with two minutes left, but could get no closer.
Kaden Smith led Clairton with 20 points while Owen Norman scored 22 for Fort Cherry.
Other Class 2A games Eden Christian Academy 66, Burgettstown 43:
The fifth-seeded Warriors (17-5) took control early, jumping to a 17-2 lead and maintaining a double- digit advantage. Ryan Merrick paced Eden Christian with 19 points. Zack Shrockman had 16 points for
Burgettstown (13-10). Greensburg Central Catholic 65, Propel Braddock Hills 45:
The fourth-seeded Centurions (16-5) used a big third quarter, outsourcing Propel Braddock, 33-13, to gain the win. Greensburg Central got a strong one-two punch from Tyree Turner (22 points) and Franco Alvarez (21). Turner had four 3-pointers, while Alvarez scored 13 of his points in the big third quarter. Giontae Clemmons had a game-high 24 points for Propel Braddock (10-13).
Shenango 59, ChartiersHouston 38:
Brody McQuiston scored a game-high 26 points, helping the eighthseeded Wildcats (15-8) turn back the visiting Bucs (16-7). Chartiers-Houston trailed by just 27-26 midway through the third quarter, but Shenango dominated play the rest of the way.
Aliquippa 75, Laurel 33:
The top-seeded Quips (17-6) advance to the quarterfinals for the ninth year in a row. Aliquippa dominated play, jumping out to a 42-14 halftime lead against the Spartans (7-16).
Bishop Canevin 72, South
Side Beaver 46: The Crusaders (19-4), two-time defending WPIAL champion, put the game away early, jumping out to a 20-5 first-quarter lead. Shea Champine, the fourthleading scorer in the WPIAL at 30.4 a game, had a gamehigh 26 points against the Rams (8-16). Canevin also got a double-double from Michael Vaughn, who tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Serra Catholic 79, Nazareth Prep 68:
Serra (14-9) held a comfortable 61-41 lead after three quarters. The seventh-seeded Eagles were led by Owen Dumbroski with 28 points and Isiah Petty with 19. Nazareth Prep (9-9) got 22 points from Will Evans and 16 from Kevin Mickens. Serra will meet Canevin in the quarterfinals.
Northgate 89, Jeannette 65:
The sixth-seeded Flames (17-6) gained their first playoff win since 2013 and will be making their first trip to the quarterfinals since 2012. Steve Goetz (35 points) and Josh Williams (31) proved a potent one-two punch for Northgate against the Jayhawks (13-8). The Flames led by 8 points at halftime and then outscored Jeannette in the second half, 53-37. Shane Mickens and Isaiah Mallich each scored 18 points for the Jayhawks.