North Allegheny stays undefeated with PIAA 1st-round win

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 3:45 AM

This win really wasn't much different than North Allegheny's other 25 this season, insisted coach Spencer Stefko.

Yes, the Tigers played Friday without star point guard Rachel Martindale, but that's not why senior Piper Morningstar scored 18 points or freshman Lizzy Groetsch added 11 in a 46-21 victory over Upper St. Clair in the PIAA Class 6A first round.

“It may have looked from the outside like people stepping up, but it's just kids doing the same stuff that they've been doing all year,” Stefko said. “Maybe being a little more assertive here and there, but I don't know that anybody consciously felt that they had to go fill some shoes. We just kind of sort of were ourselves, and that was really good to see because you never know how kids will react.”

The team lost Martindale for the season when the junior torn an anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in the WPIAL finals.

Upper St. Clair (13-11) was the fifth-place team from the WPIAL.

WPIAL champion North Allegheny (26-0) advances to face District 6 champion Altoona (21-4) in the second round Tuesday. It's their third matchup this season; NA won the first two 45-44 and 54-43.

NA out-rebounded USC, 25-12, including 10 offensive boards, and the Tigers capitalized on those second-chance possessions.

They converted a pair of offensive rebounds into consecutive 3-pointers by senior Courtney Roman and junior Kristen Chomos in the third quarter, part of a decisive 17-2 run.

“As of right now, we're chasing down 43 percent of our misses,” Stefko said. “That's a huge part of what won us a championship. That's a huge part of what helped us here.”

North Allegheny went 7 for 21 from the arc with three each from Morningstar and Roman. Morningstar ended the third with consecutive 3s to lead 36-15.

NA had started slow and trailed 8-7 after the first quarter, but began the second with a 10-0 run that included put-back baskets by Groetsch and senior Madelyn Fischer.

Roman capped the run with a layup and free throw.

“The seniors played with the urgency of an elimination game,” Stefko said. “That was real important early in the first half while we found our footing.”

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.

Tags: North Allegheny