High school roundup for Jan. 30, 2025: Imani Christian stuns No. 1 Upper St. Clair

By: Triblive
Friday, January 31, 2025 | 12:16 AM

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Kieshaun Demus scored 19 points as No. 1 Imani Christian turned the tables on No. 1 Upper St. Clair on Thursday night, winning 63-58 to hand the Panthers their first Section 2-6A loss of the season.

RJ Sledge added 11 points for the Saints (12-6, 10-2). The first time the teams met this season, Upper St. Clair (18-2, 11-1) won 74-32 on Jan. 7.

Bentworth 54, Clairton 49 – Ben Hays and Christopher Harper each put up 22 points and Lucas Burt finished with 10 as Bentworth (8-9, 5-6) beat Clairton (7-8, 7-4) in Section 1-2A. Taris Wooding scored 10 for the Bears.

Carrick 69, Valley 54 – Brayden Fisher led all scorers with 30 points and Kelenn Ward finished with 18 as Carrick (9-8) beat Valley (5-14) in nonsection play. Taireke Davis dropped 23 points and Mike Allen posted 11 for the Vikings.

Cheswick Christian Academy 76, Portersville Christian 66 – Brady Rochkind scored a career-high 36 points and added 12 rebounds and Joseph Rosio finished with 26 points to lead Cheswick Christian (7-0) in a non-division matchup of teams undefeated in division play. Josh Tresky scored 22, Christian Palmer added 17 and Eli Hahn had 14 for Portersville Christian (7-0).

Penn-Trafford 80, Greensburg Salem 41 – Both teams lit it up from beyond the arc as Penn Trafford made 14 3-pointers and Greensburg Salem hit 10. Brayden Stone scored 15 points, Tyler Anthony added 13 and Evan Gross put up 10 for Penn-Trafford (10-8) in a nonsection win. All three Warriors made three 3s. Tyler Martin produced 20 points and sank five 3-pointers for Greensburg Salem (4-14).

South Allegheny 68, Steel Valley 27 – Cam Epps led all scorers with 23 points, Drew Cook finished with 19 and Josh Jackowski added 11 as South Allegheny (16-2, 7-0) rolled to a Section 3-3A win. Ryan Stoker had nine points to pace Steel Valley (3-14, 1-6).

Trinity 53, Hampton 46 – Jacob Dunkle recorded his 1,000th career point and finished with 21 in a nonsection win for Trinity (9-8). Jonha Williamson sank four 3-pointers and added 16 points for the Hillers. Griffin Jarrell scored 21 points and Gavin Guinn followed with 14 for Hampton (10-9).

Girls basketball

Aliquippa 68, Laurel 21 – Carla Brown poured in 26 points and Denim Odom added 12 for Aliquippa (13-3, 7-1) in a Section 1-2A win over Laurel (7-13, 3-5).

Aquinas Academy 65, Leechburg 16 – Carly Bezila put up 14 points while Kay Chufo and Rebecca Guiilen each scored 12 for Aquinas Academy (11-6, 8-3) in a Section 1-A win. Addie Zanotto had 10 points to pace Leechburg (2-13, 2-8).

Avonworth 55, East Allegheny 13 – Greta O’Brien dropped 23 points to lead Avonworth (9-7, 6-4) to a Section 2-3A victory against East Allegheny (1-15, 0-11).

Baldwin 63, Uniontown 23 – Lynsey Bernotas led all scorers with 19 points and Mary Vargo added 13 for Baldwin (11-8, 6-4) in a Section 4-5A win. Charley Murtha scored 13 to lead Uniontown (5-14, 1-9).

Beaver Falls 61, Mohawk 29 – Taylor Pullen put up 20 points, Tamera Eastelle followed with 18 and Dreana Haskins added 12 for Beaver Falls (10-6, 8-4) in a Section 1-3A win. Gigi Pezzuolo posted 10 points for Mohawk (6-13, 4-8).

Beth-Center 59, Carmichaels 29 – Callie Dorsey lit up the scoreboard with 31 points while Violet Trump put up 12 for Beth-Center (12-7, 6-2) in a Section 3-2A win. Avery Voithofer scored 14 points for Carmichaels (2-16, 2-6).

Bishop Canevin 35, West Greene 25 – Natalie Kirsch posted 14 points to power Bishop Canevin (10-7, 5-6) to a Section 2-A win. Kendra Tharp scored 14 for West Greene (11-7, 5-6).

Blackhawk 74, Lincoln Park 27 – Aubree Hupp dropped 24 points, Andrea Kinger and Ava Pagani each contributed 15 and Alivia Rabick had 10 as Blackhawk (17-2, 11-0) beat Lincoln Park (4-13, 1-8) in Section 2-4A. Patty Wesoloski scored 11 for the Leopards.

California 51, Bentworth 30 – Leah Hartley led all scorers with 13 points while Haley Gibson and Olivia Gibson each added 11 points in a Section 3-2A win for California (9-6, 5-3). Elizabeth Wade had 10 points to lead Bentworth (7-12, 3-5).

Chartiers Valley 52, Trinity 39 – Rachel Boehm led all scorers with 13 points to pace Chartiers Valley (14-6, 9-1) to a Section 3-5A victory. Gabby Rieg tallied 12 points and Sutton Williamson had 11 for Trinity (8-9, 3-7).

Chartiers-Houston 57, Jefferson-Morgan 26 – Allison Wingard scored 13 points and Ava Kolovich added 12 to lead Chartiers-Houston (14-4, 7-0) to a Section 3-2A win. Ava Wood scored 10 points for Jefferson-Morgan (1-16, 0-7).

Elizabeth Forward 55, Ringgold 11 – Kaylin Staszak dropped 23 points, Kaelynn Settles added 15 and Mia Sostaric finished with 10 as Elizabeth Forward (14-3, 11-0) bested Ringgold (7-11, 1-9) in Section 3-4A.

Ellwood City 74, Sto-Rox 39 – Kayla Jones scored 15 points to hit the 1,000-point mark for her career and Caitlin Kreitzer finished with 20 points for Ellwood City (11-7, 7-5) in a Section 1-3A win. Kamiyah Thompson scored 16 points and Rae Johnston had 13 for Sto-Rox (7-11, 2-9).

Franklin Regional 52, Hampton 37 – Addison Musto put up 14 points while Anna Novelli and Alyssa Bridges each scored 10 as Franklin Regional (14-5) defeated Hampton (9-8) in a nonsection game. Harper Gibbons dropped 15 points for the Talbots.

Fort Cherry 53, Burgettstown 33 – Jazlyn Martino scored 16 points, Brooke Cornali had 13 and Olivia Kemp added 10 to lead Fort Cherry (16-2, 8-0) to a Section 2-2A win. Paige Klodowski scored 15 points and Savanna Rush had 12 for Burgettstown (7-12, 3-5).

Fox Chapel 59, Armstrong 35 – Natalia Schaffer led all scorers with 23 points, Bella Urso dropped 15 and Lyla Jablon had 12 in a Section 1-5A win for Fox Chapel (12-6, 7-3). Marlo Mellish led Armstrong (3-15, 2-9) with 11 points.

Geibel Catholic 50, Mapletown 16 – Emma Larkin led with 26 points and Mallory Clemmer followed with 16 for Geibel Catholic (19-1, 11-1) in a Section 2-A win over Mapletown (3-17, 1-11).

Greensburg Central Catholic 68, Ligonier Valley 24 – Erica Gribble scored 23 points and Jayla Peterson and Avery Jones added 13 points apiece for Greensburg Central Catholic (14-3, 9-1) in a Section 2-3A win over Ligonier Valley (5-13, 3-8).

Hopewell 53, Ambridge 15 – Alyssa Spang, Caylee Sundy and Avery Boyd each totaled 11 points as Hopewell (5-12, 3-6) cruised to a Section 2-4A win. Nevaeh Cox had 10 points for Ambridge (1-12, 0-9).

Indiana 62, Latrobe 57 (OT) – Emily Betsinger and Addy Hutton put up 17 points apiece and Julia Antonacci finished with 11 as Indiana (15-3, 9-1) beat Latrobe (10-8, 6-4) in Section 2-5A. Maggie Maiers scored 17 and Carley Berk followed with 16 for the Wildcats.

Keystone Oaks 45, Brownsville 34 – Laney Wagner led all scorers with 17 points and Hannah York followed with 15 for Keystone Oaks (15-1, 8-1) in a Section 3-3A win over Brownsville (11-7, 4-5). Skylar Gates produced 16 points for the Falcons.

Knoch 44, Derry 24 – Karlee Buterbaugh dropped 17 points as Knoch (10-9, 9-3) beat Derry (4-14, 1-11) in Section 1-4A. Jane Huss scored 19 to lead the Trojans.

Laurel Highlands 52, Belle Vernon 20 – Miya Harris scored 17 points, Aryianna Sumpter added 11 and Aierra Jenkins followed with 10 in a Section 3-4A for Laurel Highlands (14-5, 9-3). Saylor Lee scored eight points to lead Belle Vernon (8-11, 5-6).

McGuffey 55, Waynesburg 14 – Faith Ealy scored 14 points and Taylor Schumacher added 13 in a Section 3-3A win for McGuffey (12-7, 6-4). Peyton Cowell had seven points to pace Waynesburg (8-9, 3-6)

Mt. Pleasant 47, Southmoreland 25 – Kayla Rumbaugh scored 14 points, Morgan Gesinski posted 12 and Ryleigh Drzal added 10 as Mt. Pleasant (4-14, 4-8) defeated Southmoreland (3-16, 1-11) in Section 3-4A. Leah Moore tallied seven points to lead the Scotties.

Neighborhood Academy 28, Nazareth Prep 15 – Laurai Jones scored 12 points to lead Neighborhood Academy. Neveah Jefferson led Nazareth Prep with nine.

North Catholic 60, Highlands 30 – Brady Wehner dropped 15 points and Kate Vislosky contributed 10 as North Catholic (15-3, 9-1) doubled up Highlands (5-13, 4-8) in Section 1-4A. Tyarah Woody put up 18 points and Bella Bonnett added 12 for the Golden Rams.

Norwin 52, Mt. Lebanon 43 – Ava Christopher poured in 15 points, Kendall Berger finished with 14 points and Averi Brozeski had 11 in a Section 2-6A win for Norwin (11-6, 7-1). Payton Collins had 17 points to lead Mt. Lebanon (11-8, 4-4).

Oakland Catholic 66, Valley 37 – Josie Fontana scored 18 points and Makayla Canty added 14 to power Oakland Catholic (15-3, 11-1) to a Section 1-4A win. Janelle Norman scored 18 and Trinity Ingram finished with 14 for Valley (2-17, 1-11).

OLSH 56, Riverside 40 – Leah Parker scored 14 points, Lola Garner tallied 13 and Claudia Ierullo finished with 12 as OLSH (17-2, 12-0) bested Riverside (12-8, 7-5) in Section 1-3A. Emma Meyer made four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points and Ava Cummings added 15 for the Panthers.

Penn-Trafford 63, McKeesport 23 – Torrie DeStefano scored 12 points and had 10 steals while Kamryn Pieper finished with 11 points to lead Penn-Trafford (19-0, 10-0) to a Section 2-5A win. Emily Isenberg posted eight points for McKeesport (5-15, 2-9).

Peters Township 63, Albert Gallatin 26 – Bri Morreale scored 13 points, Taylor McCullough and Maddyn Mehl had 12 points apiece and Natalie Wetzel added 10 points to lead Peters Township (16-2, 9-0) to a Section 4-5A win. Grayce Panos scored 13 points for Albert Gallatin (7-10, 1-9).

Plum 33, Penn Hills 20 – Riley Stephans dropped 15 points while Serena Carnahan and Tamia West scored eight points apiece as Plum (7-11, 5-5) defeated Penn Hills (3-14, 3-7) in Section 1-5A. Milani Oliver scored 11 points for the Indians.

Quaker Valley 78, New Brighton 6 – Mimi Thiero scored 19 points and Lily Millet and Mia Floro added 10 points apiece for Quaker Valley (10-8, 8-4) in a Section 1-3A win over New Brighton (0-16, 0-12).

Riverview 54, Frazier 27 – Katerina Tsambis scored 24 points and Lily Bauer added 15 to lead Riverview (12-3, 7-1) past Frazier (5-14, 1-7) in Section 4-2A.

Rochester 64, Shenango 33 – Tia Yellock scored 22 points and Kamryn Newman followed with 11 to help Rochester (9-8, 5-3) to a Section 1-2A win. Amara DeFrank scored 13 and Ella Ferrell had 10 for Shenango (1-17, 0-8).

Serra Catholic 61, Monessen 45 – Bella Dumbroski scored 31 points and Abby Genes added 17 to lead Serra Catholic (12-6, 10-2) to a Section 2-A win. Madison Johnson scored 27 points and Na’Jaziah Carter had 14 for Monessen (4-12, 2-10).

Shady Side Academy 71, Deer Lakes 31 – Karis Thomas led all scorers with 24 points and Cassie Sauer poured in 23 as Shady Side Academy (19-0, 12-0) rolled to a Section 2-3A win. Anna Clark scored 14 to lead Deer Lakes (12-7, 7-5).

South Allegheny 52, Steel Valley 28 – Jaz Farnan scored 30 points and Ella Lotz added 16 to lead South Allegheny (4-14, 4-7) to a Section 2-3A win. Amari Randall scored 11 points for Steel Valley (2-16, 2-8).

South Fayette 75, New Castle 22 – Haylie Lamonde and Cierra Rexrode each put up 12 points and Alexa Ankrum added 11 as South Fayette (18-1, 11-0) cruised to a Section 3-5A win. Rihanna Boice posted 18 points to lead New Castle (7-12, 0-10).

South Park 55, Yough 18 – Hayley Bennett produced 19 points and Nika Contakos finished with 11 as South Park (13-4, 10-2) defeated Yough (11-9, 5-7) in Section 3-4A. Hailey Bock led the Cougars with seven points.

Springdale 33, Sewickley Academy 22 – Ashlyn Ferderbar put up 20 points to power Springdale (9-10, 6-5) to a Section 1-1A win over Sewickley Academy (4-12, 3-9). Grace Jardini scored 14 for the Panthers.

Union 50, St. Joseph 31 – Kylie Fruehstorfer scored 18 points, Olivia Benedict added 12 and Union (19-0, 12-0) picked up a Section 1-A win in a rematch of last year’s WPIAL Class A championship game. Mia Preuhs added nine points and 11 rebounds for the Scotties. Gia Richter led St. Joseph (12-6, 8-3) with 11 points.

Upper St. Clair 67, Connellsville 38 – Rylee Kalocay led all scorers with 21 points and Ekaterina Polstyanko scored 11 for Upper St. Clair (13-5, 6-2) in a Section 2-6A win. Elizabeth Painter put up 15 points and Maggie Orndorff added 10 for Connellsville (3-15, 0-8).

Winchester Thurston 53, Ellis School 19 – Sky Still scored 15 points and Aleah Cooper added 11 to help Winchester Thurston (15-2, 8-0) past Ellis School (6-7, 3-4) in Section 4-2A.

Hockey

Avonworth 9, Butler 6 – Cooper Powell had four goals and an assist, Conner Ralston added two goals and an assist and Jack Dolan finished with a goal and two assists for Avonworth (14-3-1) in Class A. Anthony Trombatt and Brayden Hardsock each had hat tricks for Butler (3-11-3).

Blackhawk 8, Wheeling Catholic 1 – Dylan Lieper scored a hat trick and Bryce Lieper added a pair of goals to lead Blackhawk (9-8) to a Class A win. Beck Harry, Max Jansto and Logan Enders each added a goal for the Cougars. Maddox Ochap scored the lone goal for Wheeling Catholic (7-10-1).

Cathedral Prep 3, Canon-McMillan 2 – Tucker Kinnear scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as Cathedral Prep (10-4-2) defeated Canon-McMillan (6-10-1) in Class 2A. Chris Bruschi scored a goal and had an assist for the Ramblers. Ayden Heinen and Carson O’Donoghue each scored for the Big Macs.

Chartiers Valley 9, Beaver 2 – Darien Strosnider and Ryan Kumpf scored hat tricks and Noah Callender collected two goals and three assists to lead Chartiers Valley (15-1) in Class A. Mike Derda scored twice for Beaver (4-11-1).

Elizabeth Forward 7, Sewickley Academy 3 – Bobby Boord Jr. collected three goals and two assists and Cameron Napoli had two goals and an assist to lead Elizabeth Forward (9-8) to a Division 2 win. Nick Beck and Cam Thompson also scored. Max Kopf, CJ Wright and Cole Carson had goals for Sewickley Academy (0-17-1).

Hempfield 5, Baldwin 4 (OT) – Nino DiPietro’s second goal of the game was the overtime winner for Hempfield (4-9-1) in Class 2A. Austin Herron also scored twice and Evan Dunlap had a goal and an assist. Mack Dempsey scored a hat trick and Nate Buys had a goal and an assist for Baldwin (3-10-2).

Morgantown 11, Carrick 0 – Cooper Cox had a hat trick and added an assist, Jacob Hollander piled up two goals and three assists, Geno Valenti added two goals and two assists and Lincoln Cox made 30 saves to lead Morgantown (16-1) past Carrick (6-6-3) in Division 2.

North Allegheny 3, Mt. Lebanon 2 (SO) – Joey Mitchell had a goal and an assist, Justin Hai also scored and Cam Junker made 43 saves to lead North Allegheny (9-6) to a Class 3A shootout win. Xavier Bias scored a pair of third-period goals for Mt. Lebanon (13-1-2).

Penn-Trafford 8, Armstrong 1 – Aiden Drotos scored four goals, Cam Kiste had a goal and two assists and Drew Hall and Brody Parsons added a goal and an assist apiece for Penn-Trafford (14-2-1) in a Class 2A win. Jonas Miller scored for Armstrong (8-8).

Peters Township 2, Upper St. Clair 1 – Cole Neupaver scored the winning goal in the third period, Luca Maietta also scored and Jack Fazio made 33 saves to lead Peters Township (5-9-2) to a Class 3A win. Eli Rankin scored and Owen Laurent made 22 saves for Upper St. Clair (7-8-1).

Shaler 6, Meadville 3 – Jacob Skerlong, Darius Malecki, Roman Angelo, Chase Irwin, Matthew Stelitano and Brendan Fitzgerald scored for Shaler (13-3-0-1) in a Class A victory. Ryan Yunick scored a hat trick for Meadville (7-9-1).

Competitive spirit

PIAA championships – South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson and Neshannock topped their preliminary groups and advanced to Friday’s finals in Hershey.

In the Class 3A Small Varsity division, the Lions led their group with a score of 91.70. The Jaguars led theirs with a 88.03. Penn-Trafford also advanced to the finals and Franklin Regional, Mars and Plum moved on to the semifinals in the division.

The Lancers led the Class 2A Large Varsity division with a score of 82.23.

In Class 3A Large Varsity, Hempfield was second in preliminaries and Norwin and Seneca Valley also moved on to the finals. North Allegheny and Baldwin made the semifinals.

In Class 2A Small Varsity, Central Valley and Ambridge advanced to the finals and Hampton and Elizabeth Forward made the semifinals.

In Coed Varsity, Butler was third in preliminaries to advance to the finals.