Latrobe too big for Wash High
Wash High’s Markel Pulliam drives to the basket Friday past two Latrobe defenders.
Wash High’s Anthony Popeck has his shot blocked by Latrobe’s Ryan Soisson during Friday night’s game.
CANONSBURG – The first minute of the game was all Wash High. Second-chance opportunities led to easy baskets for senior forward Nate Swart to put the Little Prexies ahead early, 4-0.
Unfortunately for the Little Prexies, that is where most of the positivity screeched to an immediate halt as they fell in the opening game of Canon-McMillan’s Brian Anselmino Memorial Tip-Off Tournament to Class AAAA power Latrobe, 95-64.
A 10-point run in the middle of the first quarter, highlighted by a reverse layup from Latrobe guard Austin Butler, put Latrobe ahead 18-8 and allowed the Wildcats to put Wash High (0-1) in the rearview mirror early.
Latrobe (1-0), who outsized the Little Prexies with its entire starting lineup exceeding 6-1, never looked back after taking the commanding lead.
“The first few minutes of the game we were somewhat stiff,” said Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel. “We weren’t moving well and just were passing the ball around the arc, ultimately settling for three-point shots.”
That approach, which resulted in going only one-of-five from three-point range in the Wildcats’ first six possessions, changed quickly. Wetzel turned to the press defense to control momentum and force Wash High into creating turnovers.
“We want to play from one end of the court to the other,” said Wetzel. “We don’t feel like we are exposing ourselves by pressing. Our pressure was good, not great.”
The Little Prexies broke the press much of the night. However, they were unable to capitalize on easy opportunities, missing several layups and turning the ball over deep into their possessions.
“It’s the opening night and you are going to make mistakes,” said Wash High coach Ron Faust. “Anyone who watched this game, or sees the score, knows they were better prepared than we were. I’ll take the blame for that.”
Butler’s 24 first-half points, paced the Wildcats early as they took a 58-36 lead into halftime.
Latrobe continued running its offense effectively in the third and fourth quarters, eventually ending up with all five starters reaching double-digit points. Wetzel knows his offense wouldn’t have been as dynamic without the presence of 6-2 senior Tom Kisick, who hit mid-range jumpers to expand the Prexies’ defense, and chipping in 10 points. Butler finished with 29 points.
Wash High’s offense revolved around the main returning consistent scorer from last season, Swart, who scored 22 points. Markel Pulliam and Matt Popeck managed to reach double-digits, scoring 10 and 12, respectively.
“We want to get the point where they are,” said Faust. “We need to play better as a team, be able to move the basketball and put pressure on other teams. We have a standard to go by now and will see if we can reach it.”
For Faust, the most disappointing part of the game was the ineffectiveness of the Prexies’ bench, which saw a lot minutes but only managed 14 points.
“We know that we need people off our bench to help,” said Faust. “But it’s hard to judge afterwards because once you get behind like that. You start to press and players try to do too much. One thing that we are able to evaluate is effort, and, despite what the score says, I think we gave great effort tonight.”