N. Allegheny falls at horn in overtime
Buzzer-beating layup ends Tigers’ season
Caleigh Sperling scored on a driving layup at the buzzer to end North Allegheny’s season in the PIAA Class 6A girls basketball playoffs Tuesday at Bald Eagle Area.
Sperling’s basket in overtime capped North Penn’s rally from a ninepoint third-quarter deficit to a 56-54 overtime victory. The Tigers turned the ball over twice in the final minute of regulation and North Penn missed a shot at the buzzer.
North Penn ( 24- 2), a fourth-place finisher from District 1, scored twice to open the overtime and built a 5349 lead. North Allegheny tied the game at 54-54 with 14 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Kellie McConnell.
Sperling’s winning basket gave her 15 points for the game, while teammate Cameron Crowley chipped in 13. North Allegheny’s Lydia Betz led all scorers with 21 points, while Caroline Henderson added 19.
Other Class 6A Norwin 56, Chartiers Valley 47:
The Knights rallied from from a 31-24 halftime deficit by outscoring the Colts 32-16 in the second half of a game played at Peters Township. The victory earns Norwin (23-3) a second straight trip to the quarterfinals. Lauren Palangio topped the WPIAL champions with 16 points. Lilah Turnbull and Ella Cupka topped the Colts with 13 points each.
Spring-Ford 74, Peters Township 53:
Spring-Ford (23-5) dominated the Indians (24-3) in a game played at Bald Eagle Area. Gemma Walker topped the Indians with 24 points.
Class 3A Shady Side Academy 62, Northwestern 45:
The Bulldogs (26-2) earned a return trip to the quarterfinals with their victory against Northwestern (22-5) in a game played at Sharon. Karis Thomas topped Shady Side with 19 points.
Westmont Hilltop 54, Seton LaSalle 48:
Mallory Daly scored 19 points to become Seton-LaSalle’s alltime leading scorer, but it wasn’t enough as the Rebels season came to an end with a loss to Westmont Hilltop (21-4) in a game played at Charleroi. Daly finished her career with 1,971 points, passing Susie McConnell-Serio, who had 1,956.
Avonworth 59, Forest Hills 44:
Eden Schleis connected on a career-high five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points as the Antelopes (242) advanced to the quarterfinals with a convincing win against Forest Hills (25-4) at Gateway.
Mercyhurst Prep 52, Neshannock 31:
This game was decided by halftime as Mercyhurst Prep (23-3) led 34-15 against Neshannock (19-9).
Class 2A Bishop McCort 77, Clairton 40:
Bishop McCort (26-2) earned a return trip to the quarterfinals with a dominating victory against the Bears (20-7) in a game played at Norwin. Clairton’s Iyanna Wade led all scorers with 27 points.
Greensburg Central Catholic 54, West Middlesex 45:
The Centurions (22-6) outscored West Middlesex, 195, in the first quarter. GCC held on for the win in a game played at North Allegheny. Mya Morgan led the Centurions with 15 points.
Everett 48, South Side Beaver 40:
Everett (20-7) outscored the Rams, 19-11, in the fourth quarter to break a 29-29 tie in a game played at Greensburg Salem. Bailey Strnisa had 12 for the Rams (16-12).