McDonough’s 29 points guide Vincentian Academy boys past Cornell in WPIAL semifinals

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, February 26, 2018 | 10:45 PM

Vincentian boys basketball coach Tim Tyree couldn't hold back his enthusiasm after earning a spot in the WPIAL title game his first year at the helm.

The Royals secured a berth in the WPIAL Class A finals Thursday with a 59-45 victory over section rival Cornell at Northgate.

Senior Zach McDonough scored 29 points to lead Vincentian (17-7) to Petersen Events Center for a Thursday encounter against No. 3 Union at 7 p.m.

The top-seeded Royals will be going for their third WPIAL championship, after bringing home gold in 2011 and '13.

“I don't think words can explain how I feel right now,” Tyree said. “Coming into this year as my first year as a head coach, I know a lot of people were optimistic, and I bring energy and really care about these kids.”

Vincentian jumped out to a 12-2 lead after Zach Collins canned a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 17 seconds left in the first quarter. The Royals were controlling the boards and eventually were able to get out to a 36-20 lead at the half, with McDonough tallying 16 points.

Angelo Reeves, a 6-foot-6 freshman, collected 12 rebounds, five in the first quarter as the Royals often held the Raiders to one shot.

“It's tough to beat anybody three times in one season,” Tyree said. “But the kids responded to me as they've been doing all year. Knowing your opponent, we've seen everything they've done. I think it was just sticking to our game.”

A basket by Desmond Ross with 1:57 left in the third quarter cut the Vincentian lead to 44-34, but turnovers on the next two possessions by Cornell (18-7) prevented the Raiders from getting any closer.

A repeat happened early in the fourth quarter when the Raiders had another chance to slice the lead to single digits, but the turnover bug bit again.

Later a no-look pass from Collins to Kyler Fedko resulted in a basket and a 51-36 Royals lead with 7:04 left in the game.

Alex Griggs chipped in with 11 points for Vincentian.

Ross led Cornell with 14 points and Zaier Harrison had 11, all in the first half.

Isaiah Langston had eight rebounds for Cornell, which has qualified for the PIAA tournament.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Cornell, Vincentian Academy