Peters Twp.keeps USC at a distance
McMURRAY – Much has changed for the Peters Township and Upper St. Clair girls’ basketball programs over the last year. Both are heading in different directions as the 2015-16 season unfolds.
The Indians find themselves near the top of every statistical category in Section 4-AAAA, including a firm first-place stranglehold for points per game (60.9) and points allowed (39.3).
Upper St. Clair has failed to find much offensive production after graduating four seniors who appeared in the starting lineup most of last season. The Panthers, despite lockdown defense, have only managed a section-low 42.5 points per game.
That struggle continued for Upper St. Clair Thursday night, as the Panthers failed to get a basket from any of its starting five until 5:04 remained in the second quarter, ultimately falling to Peters Township 52-35, and extending its losing-streak to five games.
The Panthers have eclipsed the 35-point mark once in those five losses. Peters Township head coach Bert Kendall knew it was going to be a matchup of contrasting styles.
“Part of (Upper St. Clair’s) good defense is its extreme patience on offense,” he said. “We expected and planned for that but still wanted to get into our transition game and be able to run. The best way to beat a team like that is to get as many possessions as possible.”
However, Peters Township (5-1, 11-1) struggled on offense early, making its first field goal with 2:12 left in the first quarter, but never surrendering a lead it had from the opening minutes. That was good enough to extend a six-game, three-week winning streak.
“They are a very talented team,” said Upper St. Clair head coach Pete Serio. “They are good, big and can run. We tried slowing the game down – that was the plan – but they are good.”
Slowing the game worked for the Upper St. Clair in the second quarter, where it was able to outscore the Indians 10-7, to only trail by seven going into halftime.
The Indians increased that lead with consecutive, third quarter possessions that resulted in three-point buckets from Isabella Mills and Madison Kerr, giving Peters Township a 33-24 point.
Kerr, the Indiana of University of Pennsylvania commit, was quiet for most of the night, only managing eight points. Freshmen guard Makenna Marisa was able to pick up the sluggish Peters Township offense with a game-high 16 points.
“We knew (it) would be a battle of styles,” said Kendall. “Defense is practiced constantly. Every single practice, we go over defense concepts and drills, and take a lot of pride in it.”
Peters Township outscored Upper St. Clair (2-4, 4-8) in the final four minutes, 13-2, widening the gap and erasing any chance of a fourth quarter comeback.
“The section is extremely difficult,” said Serio. “We are a very young team with playing a lot of sophomores. I am putting these kids in a fire but we’ve been hanging around with teams. We are growing as a team defensively. I know we are growing and getting better.”
Peters Township, firmly in second place in the section, looks forward to facing a tough test in Class AAA South Fayette.
“I think we continue to play with more confidence,” said Kendall. “Our program hasn’t been a playoff team for a long time. When we played Bethel Park, even though we lost, we knew as a team we can stick with those teams.”