WPIAL Semifinals Tuesday Spotlight Game: Seton-LaSalle 62 – Bishop Canevin 40

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 | 12:18 AM

In a rematch of last year’s WPIAL Class AA Championship game, the Seton-LaSalle Rebels got a bit of revenge against their rivals, knocking Bishop Canevin out of the 2014 tournament with a 62-40 victory at Chartiers Valley High School.

The Rebels, who never trailed in this contest, went on a 6-0 run early in the 1st quarter to take an 11-3 lead and force Crusaders head coach Tim Joyce to take back-to-back timeouts. Bishop Canevin was able to cut the lead to 6 points by halftime. Senior Naje Gibson was big in the first half for Seton-LaSalle scoring 9 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Sophomore guard Shaunay Edmonds paced the Rebels with 10 first half points. Freshman Sarah Green led the Crusaders with 7 points in the first 16 minutes while Erin Joyce hit two three pointers for 6 1st half points.

After the break, Nicolette Newman started the third quarter off right for Seton-LaSalle by nailing a trey that started the Rebels rolling and they never looked back from there. Seton-LaSalle outscored the Crusaders 19-11 in the third quarter to lead by 14 on their way to the 22 point win. Not only did Bishop Cane in defeat Seton-LaSalle for the WPIAL title last season, but the Crusaders also defeated the Rebels in the PIAA semifinals on their way to their first ever state title.

There would be no sequel this year as Seton-LaSalle used a balanced offense and a smothering defense to hold Bishop Canevin’s leading scorers Johnnie Olkosky and Gina Vallecorsa to a combined 8 points. The senior Olkosky fouled out of the game with 1:22 remaining with 10 rebounds but just 2 points. Sophomore Becca Turney was solid off the bench for Bishop Cane in posting a double-double with 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Joyce finished with 9 points on three triples for the Crusaders be sore she fouled out as well. The 6 foot senior Gibson also put up a double-double for Seton-LaSalle, scoring a game high 17 points to go with 10 rebounds. Senior Yacine Diop finished with 15 points and the University of Pittsburgh bound guard has scored in double digits in all three playoff wins for the Rebels. Edwards finished with 12 points while junior guard Cassidy Walsh added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

The Crusaders, who also lost both section games to the Rebels this year, finish their WPIAL slate at (19-6). Bishop Cane in has already qualified for the Class AA state playoff tournament. The Crusaders will either be the 3rd or 4th seed from District 7 in the PIAA playoffs. Top seeded Seton-LaSalle is now (21-4) after the win and the Rebels advance to the Class AA championship game for the 6th consecutive season. Seton-LaSalle will face second seeded Burrell on Friday afternoon at the A.J. Palumbo Center. The Buccaneers defeated #3 Greensburg Central Catholic 51-47 to reach the title game. Burrell is a perfect (25-0) on the season after defeating the Centurions.

Tags: Bishop Canevin