California’s victory over Union was Taylor-made
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter California's Benjamin Wilson races by Union's Cornell Charles for a shot at the basket during the first half of the game during the WPIAL playoffs.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter California's Kass Taylor shoots while Union's Trevon Charles tries to block during the first half of Tuesday night's game.
BRIDGEVILLE – California sophomore forward Kass Taylor’s floater with seven seconds remaining lifted the Trojans to a 46-44 victory over Union in a WPIAL Class A first round playoff game at Chartiers Valley High School Tuesday night.
California (17-5) advances to the quarterfinals, where it will face No. 2 Monessen Friday at a site and time to be determined. Union’s season ends with a 11-11 overall record.
Trojans head coach Bruno Pappasergi called a timeout with 15 seconds remaining to determine his offensive set. It was simple: either Taylor or senior guard Tray Matthews was going to get the final shot.
Matthews held the ball and passed back to Taylor, who drove to the basket and released a shot that rang off the rim and went in. Union went down the court, but its attempt fell short to end the game.
“I honestly didn’t think I had a clear look at the basket, but I had to take the shot,” Taylor said. “Time was running out.”
Taylor finished the game with 12 points and Matthews added nine for California, which led 28-20 at halftime. But six missed layups allowed the Scotties back into the game. Union took a 35-34 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Union held the lead until Malik Jackson’s tied the score 42-42 with 2:41 remaining and J.C. Conaway’s two free throws gave the Trojans, who missed two one-and-one attempts with less than two minutes remaining, the lead.
The Scotties tied the game with 35 seconds remaining on Constantine Padure’s put back. Cornell Charles had a game-high 17 points for Union.
“I’m so proud of my team,” Pappasergi said. “Our kids played so hard and we played great defensively. I don’t care if we play the Los Angeles Lakers next. I’m just thrilled we won a playoff game and we’re not done.”
Monessen 76, St. Joseph 47: Monesen had no trouble winning its first-round game in the WPIAL Class A playoffs. The Greyhounds defeated St. Joseph, 76-47, Tuesday at Norwin High School.
Monessen will play California Friday at a site and time to be determined.
Lavalle Rush had 20 points and seven assists for Monessen, Jaden Altomore 18 points and seven rebounds, Justice Rice 13 points and 10 rebounds and Dwight Moore 11 points.
Sam Beaver led St. Joseph with 16 points.
Greensburg CC 64, Beth-Center 33: The best girls basketball season at Beth-Center in three decades ended Tuesday night with a 64-33 loss to third-seeded Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs at Peters Township High School.
Greensburg Central Catholic (19-2), the Section 2 champion, forged a 31-10 lead after one quarter and cruised into the quarterfinals.
Beth-Center, which defeated Avonworth last Friday in the preliminary round for the program’s first playoff victory since 1984, finished the year with a 13-6 record.
GCC played a three-platoon system and was simply too deep, too aggressive and too quick for the Bulldogs. The Centurions led 56-13 at halftime before turning to its third string in the second half and being outscored 20-8.
Point guard Carolyn Appleby was a disruptive force at both ends of the court for GCC. She scored 18 points and harassed B-C into numerous turnovers. Abby Mirgliano scored all of her 14 points in the second quarter. She made four three-pointers.
Senior point guard Anna Bartman led Beth-Center with 15 points and four assists. No other Bulldogs player scored more than two field goals. Destinee Irey had five points.