3-ball propels N. Catholic
Trojans will face Lincoln Park next
North Catholic coach Jim Rocco referred to Max Hurray, his senior point guard, as the best player that he’s seen come through the Trojans program. That’s saying something, considering Rocco has been strolling the sidelines in the WPIAL for more than 30 years.
It’s performances like Tuesday night in Monroeville that strengthens the longtime coach’s case even further.
After scoring 21 points in the team’s opening-round victory against Warren in the PIAA 4A playoffs, Hurray poured in 37 points Tuesday night, leading the Trojans (18-9) to a 75-60 victory against Avonworth (18-10).
“I thought I was in a rhythm to start the game,” said Hurray, who only left the court for a few brief moments during the game to catch his breath. “I think once you score those points to start, it attracts more defenders with the help defense coming out on you. That led to our other teammates scoring.”
After posting the secondhighest scoring output of his prep career, Hurray and Rocco agreed that he’s playing the best basketball of his career. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“He loves the moment. He doesn’t shy away from it,” said Rocco. “Max is one of those young men that when he walks in, you’ve got a chance. … We’re just blessed to have him.”
Despite getting outrebounded in the first half, North Catholic was able to open a double-digit lead midway through the second quarter thanks to its outside shooting. It took an 11-point lead into halftime. North Catholic’s first 12 points came from beyond the 3point line. Weary of the 3ball, Antelopes defenders began coming out to the perimeter defensively, allowing the Trojans to get to the basket with ease. Slowly, the Trojans wore down Avonworth on the defensive end and were able to cruise to victory in the fourth quarter.
Junior Owen Maddalon also got into double digits, scoring 12 points in the victory.
On defense, the Trojans had their hands full defending Antelopes guard Rowan Carmichael, one of the WPIAL’s best scorers. Carmichael finished with 28 points in the losing effort, and made things difficult in the first half.
Hurray said the difference after halftime was when the Trojans began
double-teaming Carmichael, similarly to what they did against the Rodney Gallagher-led Laurel Highlands team in last year’s WPIAL semifinals.
Rocco believes that changes like this are much easier to make mid-game due to his team’s high basketball IQ. He explained that the majority of play calls come directly from the players on the floor, which takes a lot of pressure off of the coaching staff.
“They’re really good right now at commanding the game,“Rocco said. ” It’s great to see young people take ownership. It’s great to see young people in command. Our staff right now, we’re what teachers always want to be, and that’s facilitators.”
With the victory, the Trojans move on to face Lincoln Park on Friday. Rocco said that the opportunity to prove that his team is one of the best in the state is a special opportunity. But it certainly won’t come easy, and he knows that.
“We’ve just got to be fighters,“ Rocco said. ”So much of what we’re doing is trying to teach them that you’ve got to fight for things. And it’s hard. If you can’t fight and you don’t have that within you, life’s a little bit tougher. Our kids love that.
“The next game, let’s just be the toughest team and let’s just see where it goes. We play an epic team that’s, on paper, the best team we’ve seen in Pittsburgh since Schenley [High School] in the early 2000s. But all it takes is one opportunity and we have it.”