Steel Valley uses big comeback to edge South Fayette
South Fayette’s Matt Thomas attempts to drive around Steel Valley’s Ja’Mier Fletcher during WPIAL Class AAA boys’ basketball playoff action.
South Fayette’s Josh Castelluci averts a Steel Valley defender and soars to the basket during WPIAL Class AAA boys’ basketball playoff action. Castelluci’s 14 points staked the Lions to a 29-20 halftime lead.
South Fayette’s Noah Plack struggles for the basketball with Steel Valley defenders Ryan McCallister (left) and Ja’Mier Fletcher.
PITTSBURGH – South Fayette won four of its final five section games and began forging an identity after losing six players to graduation.
It added up to a second-place finish in Section 5-AAA, but inexperience was the Lions’ Achilles heel.
Trouble handling close games and pressure situations finally caught up to them Wednesday night.
South Fayette’s hot start had Steel Valley trailing by 16 points early in the third quarter, but the Ironmen used a press defense and timely shooting to complete a 53-48 come-from-behind win in a Class AAA first-round playoff game at Baldwin High School.
Sixth-seeded Steel Valley (16-5) advanced to face third-seeded Mars Friday at a site and time to be determined. It were led by Kennedy Smith, who had seven of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter, and sophomore Amonte Strothers, who added 12 points.
“This is the story of our season,” Bonnaure said. “We have a lot of young kids out there playing and the mistakes add up. I felt it as they made their run. I called timeouts and tried talking to the guys, but Steel Valley turned it up and we didn’t handle pressure situations well.”
The Lions (12-10), who had won at least one playoff game each of the past three seasons, led 38-22 with under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, when Steel Valley head coach Dale Chapman decided to use his quick guards to force turnovers in a full-court press.
South Fayette created open shots using its smooth motion offense in the first half. Josh Castelluci, one of just three seniors who played Wednesday night, made three three-pointers and had 14 first-half points to help the Lions grab a nine-point lead at the half.
They started the third quarter on a 9-2 run and instead of panicking, Chapman’s goal was to cut the deficit to 10 by the fourth quarter.
“I knew that as long as we got it to under 10, we’d be ok,” Chapman said. “Once we got it down to seven entering the fourth, we kept it rolling and never looked back.”
With Ryhan Culberson, who was held to 10 points, on the bench in foul trouble, the Ironmen’s small lineup excelled with points in transition and making contested shots.