Avonworth pulls away in fourth

For three quarters, Avonworth and Ellwood City were relatively even. Then the Antelopes ran away from the Wolverines.

Avonworth poured it on in the fourth quarter and defeated Ellwood City, 66-50, in a PIAA Class 3A second-round game Saturday afternoon at New Castle.

Ellwood City (22-4) held a 47-43 lead after three quarters, but Avonworth (20-7) outscored the Wolverines by 23-3 in the fourth.

“Our kids are pretty good and they play hard. That’s the first thing,” said Avonworth coach Mike Mancuso. “I also think we just wore them down a little. They don’t have many subs and we sub quite a bit. Plus, we went to a press and maybe we confused them a little.”

Jordan Kolenda was instrumental in the win, scoring 12 of his 23 points in the final quarter. Freshman guard Rowan Carmichael added 16. Sophomore forward Joseph Roth led Ellwood CIty with 28.

The win put Avonworth into the quarterfinals for the first time in 63 years. In 1959, Avonworth won the WPIAL, which automatically qualified the Antelopes for the PIAA quarterfinals, where they lost.

Other Class 3A game Aliquippa 53, Neshannock 45:

Aliquippa (19-8) led by a point after three quarters and then outscored Neshannock (19-6) by 18-11 in the fourth quarter at New Castle.

Class 2A Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 74, Carlynton 43:

Carlynton (21-4) had allowed more than 50 points only twice this season. Obviously, Carlynton didn’t play anyone like Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. OLSH (250) led at halftime, 39-23, and went on to stretch their winning streak to 65 games with the victory at Bethel Park. Jake DiMichele led OLSH with 22 points and the Chargers had 66 points through three quarters.

Portage 67, Fort Cherry 52: Fort Cherry’s best season since 1961 ended with a loss to a strong Portage team at Norwin. Portage (28-1) led by 40-16 at halftime. Dylan Rogers led Fort Cherry with 20 points. Fort Cherry (24-4) finished as WPIAL runner-up and was in the PIAA quarterfinals for the first time since 1961.

Ridgway 59, Greensburg Central Catholic 53:

RIdgway (22-5) had a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter before Greensburg C.C. (19-5) cut the lead to 55-53 with 21 seconds left at Clarion University. But Ridgway hung on for the win.