Trinity gets win, but no assist
The Trinity bench cheers after a teammate scores during the first quarter of the game against McGuffey Friday. Trinity needed a win, and a loss by West Allegheny, to clinch a spot in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. Trinity won. So did West Allegheny.
McGuffey’s Zach Maxwell tries to get past Trinity’s Ben Phillis during the first quarter Friday night.
Trinity’s Joey Koroly shoots between McGuffey defenders Adam Narigon and Zach Maxwell.
CLAYSVILLE – The student sections of McGuffey and Trinity stood in unison, shouting cheers of encouragement and distraction as the schools’ boys basketball teams played an emotional rivalry game to finish the Section 5-AAA schedule.
The Hillers’ fans traveled to McGuffey for a chance to witness clinching the program’s first trip to the WPIAL playoffs since 2012. Though the young Trinity team displayed just how much it matured since December and outplayed the Highlanders from the opening tip, the Hillers’ fate was sealed in a game more than 33 miles north.
Despite the Hillers defeating McGuffey, 55-47, Friday night, Trinity was officially eliminated from the playoffs with West Allegheny’s win over Montour in Section 5-AAA.
The Hillers came within reach of a playoff berth using what many perceived as its biggest weakness – inexperience. Freshman guard Joey Koroly scored a game-high 19 points and four other underclassmen scored to lead Trinity to the win.
If Trinity (4-8, 7-13) defeated Montour Tuesday night, the Hillers would have been in the playoffs, but the six-point loss had them needing a win over McGuffey and the Spartans defeating the Indians. Only one came to fruition.
“There’s no words to describe it,” Trinity head coach Tim Tessmer said of narrowly missing the postseason. “I found out with about two minutes left. We talked about taking care of our business and the rest will take care of itself. If we beat Montour, we wouldn’t have been in this position. It’s a shame though. Our kids played their hearts out tonight.”
Trinity rode a strong first half to an eight-point lead at halftime and used Koroly’s quick first step in the third quarter as the freshman scored seven points in the eight-minute span, but the Highlanders (2-10, 6-14) fought back behind senior Damian McCloskey, who scored a team-high 13 points.
McCloskey led an 8-2 run late in the third quarter, including a three-point play with seven seconds remaining, to draw the Highlanders to within five points. The Hillers’ tenacious play down low led to five quick points to start the fourth quarter and turnovers crippled McGuffey when it needed points the most.
“Our inconsistent play has been our problem all season,” McGuffey head coach Mike Fatigante said. “Unfortunately, we kept having unforced turnovers, and to Trinity’s credit they capitalized. Our guys played hard, but Trinity was the better team tonight.”
Koroly’s layup with 3:01 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Trinity an 11-point lead and the Hillers made five of eight free throws in the final 70 seconds to clinch the win, but their playoff fate was sealed before the fourth quarter began.
Though Trinity improved by leaps and bounds with a roster that includes just three seniors, there are no moral victories when missing the playoffs.
“This season has been great. I love these guys,” Koroly said. “I loved playing with the seniors and I’m sad we may not be playing together again, but the future is bright for us.”
Koroly and senior guard Nick Moretti, who chipped in 12 points, helped Trinity start the game on a 16-7 as the two combined for 13 first-quarter points. McCloskey helped the Highlanders dig out of the hole with a three-pointer and senior Zach Maxwell’s put back drew McGuffey to within seven points, but sophomore Saul Wells’ free throw gave the Hillers an eight-point lead at halftime.
Despite playing in front of a hostile crowd, the Hillers were mistake-free in the first quarter and their defense created issues for McGuffey’s athletic lineup.
“It’s hard to play in an atmosphere like that, but we persevered through it and I couldn’t be more proud of the guys tonight,” Moretti said. “It’s just sad to see it end.”
Trinity 67, McGuffey 47:
After an impressive offense lifted McGuffey past Trinity in the first meeting, the Hillers looked ready for the playoffs in the rematch as they defeated the Highlanders, 67-47, in a Section 5-AAA game.
The victory lifts Trinity (8-4, 16-5) into a tie for second place in the section and the loss might send the Highlanders (7-5, 15-6) to a preliminary round game in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
Sophomore guard Sierra Kotchman scored a game-high 19 points and freshman guard Alayna Cappelli added 16, including 10 fourth-quarter points.
“This is exactly what we wanted. This was a big game with a playoff atmosphere,” Trinity head coach Bob Miles said. “We played to our potential tonight.”
Senior forward Rachel Phillis, who had 11 points, helped Trinity to a 15-0 run in the first four minutes of the game. She grabbed four rebounds during that span and Kotchman added four points.
The Highlanders did not make a field goal until 1:07 left in the first quarter as Trinity clogged passing lanes with its zone defense. Kotchman, who has shifted back to point guard, looked comfortable running the Hillers offense, finding open teammates on the perimeter and showing a soft touch from the three-point line.
Though McGuffey made three consecutive three-pointers to finish the third quarter to draw to within 12 points, foul trouble cost the Highlanders in the fourth quarter. Cappelli made eight of nine free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.
Sammie Weiss led McGuffey with 16 points and Katie Demi added 13.