Feb 28, 2016 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – As Trinity head coach Bob Miles and three of his players walked away from the postgame news conference following the Hillers’ WPIAL title game loss to South Fayette, there were no solemn looks or overwhelming feelings of regret.

They didn’t want to settle for second, but almost completing a comeback from a 20-point second-quarter deficit and looking like the better team for stretches left Trinity prideful and motivated for the next step.

That begins Saturday when the Hillers (21-4) play South Park (19-7), the WPIAL’s sixth seed, Saturday at Peters Township High School in the first round of the PIAA playoffs. The air of confidence that saw them roll to Petersen Events Center is still intact and instead of focusing on the loss, they’re looking toward the next goal – a state title.

“They’re just tough kids,” Miles said following the loss. “Maybe this is unchartered water for us as far as Trinity girls basketball is concerned, but I’ll tell you what, I’d like to play with (these players) another six games, at least. We’re in a situation now where we’re OK and we’re going to the state tournament.”

His players nodded in agreement.

The narrative against South Fayette had its similarities to the two regular-season meetings, but this was different. Trinity struggled on offense for a stretch in the second quarter, making just 4 of 14 shots, but it didn’t let the game slip away and handled the Lions’ trapping defense.

Senior center Mary Dunn cut the deficit to 13 at halftime with seven consecutive points to end the second quarter, and junior guard Sierra Kotchman started the third with back-to-back three-pointers.

Even with a 20-point lead in the second quarter and his players making the majority of their shots, South Fayette head coach Matt Bacco knew better than to think the WPIAL title was the Lions’ at halftime.

“We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game,” Bacco said. “We’ve played them enough to know it was going to be a close game. We had it up to 20 and they punched back. They’re a good team. I think they’re ranked in the top five of the state for a reason.”

The Hillers made big shots and got stops on defense in key situations. That added up to just a one-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining. Kotchman had a big second half – 13 of her 18 points came after halftime – junior forward Abbey O’Connor scored five fourth-quarter points and senior Natalie Cappelli had six rebounds in the final 16 minutes.

The Lions outscored Trinity 8-3 in the final 2:50 to secure the win. It didn’t take away from the pride the Hillers have for how far the program has come – from finishing 10-12 and missing the playoffs in 2013 to three consecutive playoff runs.

“It was amazing being the first time in Trinity history to come here and our fans were awesome. It is indescribable,” Dunn said. “I never thought we could get here during my freshman year, but the closer it got, I knew it was coming. We finally made it.”

Much of the comeback against South Fayette had to do with the improved play of Kotchman and sophomore guard Alayna Cappelli. Though both played strong defensively in the first half, they shied away from driving to the basket to create shots.

Trinity’s roll began when the pair started driving through the lane and passing to open teammate as the Lions’ zone defense collapsed. Miles credited his guards for executing the Hillers’ game plan in the second half.

“My guards are growing up,” Miles said. “They’re not seniors, they’re still underclassmen. That’s a credit to them.”

Trinity, which is making its second trip to the state playoffs in three years, prepares for its third game against South Park, the Hillers know the state tournament offers second chances.

Though the sting of the loss will resonate for some time, as it did with South Fayette after the Lions lost to Blackhawk in last year’s WPIAL title game, the Hillers are focused on getting a rematch with the Lions.

Trinity’s players even mentioned the date of the potential rematch – March 15 in the PIAA semifinals.

“We want to see them again,” Alayna Cappelli said. “March 15th. We’re ready.”