Feb 22, 2019 4 min read

CANONSBURG – Sometimes being a No. 1 seed is tough.

As the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs you usually face an extended layoff, as well as all the pressures and heightened expectations from your opponents and everyone else.

The West Greene girls basketball team’s offense wasn’t it usual self and struggled Friday night, but the Pioneers forced 25 turnovers and made enough plays late to secure a 56-46 win over Sewickley Academy in the Class A quarterfinals at Canon-McMillan High School.

“We were out of sync on offense, but you have to expect these types of games in the playoffs,” West Greene coach Jordan Watson said. “It will always come down to defense in the playoffs. If we can get to the mid-50s, then I like our chances. These are going to be possession-type games.”

With the win, the Pioneers (21-2) advance to the semifinals and clinched a PIAA playoff berth for the third year in a row. West Greene will face No. 5 seed Vincentian Academy, a 53-38 winner over Clairton, on Tuesday with a site and time to be determined.

“I think rebounding will be key against Vincentian,” Watson said. “We have to attack the boards and we can’t watch the ball. It’s about desire and effort on the boards. We really have been focused on us and what we need to do in a game no matter who we play. It will be a dogfight Tuesday.”

McKenna Lampe scored 10 of her 18 points in the first quarter to lead West Greene on a cold shooting night. The Pioneers has been averaging close to 67 points a game, but they did have to overcome being off for the last 15 days.

“It wasn’t our best game, but we were able to gut this one out for a win,” Lampe said. “Actually, this type of game motivates us because it was so tight and physical. I think this type of game will help out and we will learn from it. You can’t underestimate any opponent.”

Kaitlyn Rizor and Madison Lampe scored 12 points apiece for West Greene and Elizabeth Brudnock chipped in with nine.

“We knew playing them a second time would be more difficult,” daid Rizor, referring to West Greene’s 58-29 win over Sewickley Academy on Jan. 31. “We knew them, but they knew us. It was physical and we just had to rely on our defense.”

Breanna Warner scored 26 points for the Panthers (12-8).

After Brudnock hit a 3-pointer to start the scoring for the Pioneers, the upset-minded and No. 8-seeded panthers sprung together six unanswered points and forced West Greene to call a timeout.

“It’s hard to simulate a playoff atmosphere after that type of layoff,” Watson said. “You can scrimmage and have tough practices, but nothing gets you ready for the playoffs. We were a little shell-shock early on, but we just had to settle down. This group has a lot of experience.”

West Greene responded after the timeout and ended the quarter on a 14-4 spurt for a 17-10 lead.

Madison Lampe launched a pair of three-pointers to start the offense in second quarter as the Pioneers outscored Sewickley Academy 15-8 in the period and carried a 32-19 lead into halftime.

The Panthers opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run to trim the deficit to 34-30, but West Greene answered with three straight buckets by Rizor, Brudnock and Brianna Goodwin. Sewickley Academy grabbed the final basket of the quarter, but West Greene led 40-32.

“They are a really good team,” Rizor said. “I think our press wore them down. We rely on our press to get turnovers and to get our transition game going. Our defense has to carry us in the playoffs. Offense can come and go, but your defense has to be there every night.”

After the Pioneers began the final quarter with an 8-4 spurt, Sewickley got back into the game with an 8-2 run that made the score 50-44 with 2:05 left.

West Greene held Sewickley Academy to only two points the rest of the way, and also was effective at the free-throw line to seal the victory. The Pioneers were just 2-for-10 at the foul line through the opening three quarters, but were 10-for-13 in the final eight minutes.

“When our big three (Rizor and Lampe twins) get 40 to 45 points in a game, I like our chances,” Watson said. “Their big girl (Warner) got her points, but we shut everyone else down. We didn’t want anyone else beating us. It’s the playoffs, it’s all about surviving and advancing.”