Dec 30, 2014 4 min read

Sierra Kotchman led four Trinity players in double figures with 25 points and the Hillers defeated the host team 62-53 Tuesday night in the championship game of the Mt. Pleasant girls basketball tournament.

It is the second tournament Trinity (7-1) has won. The Hillers opened the season by winning a tournament at Greensburg Salem. This time, Trinity had to overcome a 32-point performance by Mt. Pleasant’s Alexa Szelong, who made seven three-point field goals.

Szelong kept the Vikings within striking distance in the first half, which ended with Trinity holding a 27-26 lead. The Hillers pulled away in the third quarter and took a 44-34 lead into the final eight minutes. The Hillers protected the lead in part by making 17 of 24 free throws in the game.

In addition to Kotchman’s 25 points, which included four three-pointers, Trinity received 14 points from Rachel Phillis, 12 from Mary Dunn and 10 from freshman Alayna Cappelli. Kotchman, Dunn and Cappelli each were named to the all-tournament team.

Jefferson-Morgan 58, Jeannette 28: Jefferson-Morgan remained the area’s only undefeated girls basketball team by defeating Jeannette 58-28 at the Laurel Highlands Christmas Tournament.

The win improves J-M’s record to 10-0. The Rockets took control early against the winless Jayhawks (0-8), forging a 33-12 lead by halftime.

Juniors Kayla Yorko and Morgan Simkovic each scored 10 points, including eight in the first half, to lead Jefferson-Morgan. The Rockets had 11 players score at least one point.

J-M is off until Monday when it play at California (10-1) in a Section 3-A game.

Chartiers-Houston 50, Sharpsville 34: Alexa Williamson and Jala Youngblood combined for 26 points to lead Chartiers-Houston past Sharpsville, 50-34, in the championship game of the Farrell Dresch-McCluskey Classic.

Williamson scored a team-high 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Youngblood chipped in 10 and had 10 rebounds for the Bucs (6-3), who led by nine points at halftime. Both players were named to the all-tournament team, and Williamson, a 6-1 freshman, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Emily Grandy had 21 points for Sharpsville (6-3).

University 45, Washington 38: Washington could not overcome a slow offensive performance as the Prexies lost, 45-35, to University at the EQT Energy Classic in Bridgeport, W.Va.

The Prexies (4-4) will face a to be determined opponent today at noon.

Tajah Gordon paced Wash High with 18 points and Mikala Maltony chipped in 12 points. The Prexies made just 17 of 38 free throws and led at halftime, but could not overcome a tough eight-point third quarter.

Mapletown 32, West Greene 19: Mapletown outscored West Greene by 11 points in the first half and held on for a 32-19 victory in a non-section game.

Hannah Dingle led the Maples (3-6) with nine points and Brooke Duranko added eight. Mapletown led 16-5 at halftime and sank 12 of 20 free throws.

Sarah Courtwright scored 10 points for West Greene (0-11).

Bentworth 43, Avonworth 36: Reilly Skerbetz scored 20 points and earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors as Bentworth defeated Avonworth, 43-36, to win the Bentworth Tournament.

Skerbetz, who was also named to the all-tournament team, made two three-pointers for Bentworth (6-3). Grace Marchezak added 10 points and along with Heather Chester, made the all-tournament team. Avonworth rallied in the fourth quarter, but could not draw closer than seven points.

Katie Gould scored 17 points for Avonworth (3-6).

Bethel Park 62, South Fayette 53: South Fayette could not overcome a first half deficit as the Lions fell to Bethel Park, 62-53, at the Bethel Park Tournament.

The Black Hawks (5-4) had three double-digit scorers: Shannon Conely (19 points), Justina Mascaro (18) and Kaitlyn Chess (13) Bethel Park led 28-22 at half time before outscoring South Fayette, 34-22, in the final 16 minutes.

Carlee Kilgus scored 16 points for South Fayette (5-3).