Jan 10, 2016 4 min read

When Trinity’s girls basketball team walked off its home court Dec. 17 following a loss that could have been debilitating to its Section 5-AAA title hopes, the Hillers had a sense of optimism.

The eight-point loss to rival South Fayette included several defensive lapses. And while Trinity’s players might have been discouraged by such a defeat in the last two seasons, this group was motivated to show they belong among the WPIAL’s best.

One shot here or one stop there could have flipped the result in their favor. That was the message head coach Bob Miles stressed, yet he wanted to see a more consistent effort on defense.

The Hillers (4-1, 10-2), who are led by five seniors and three juniors, have responded like a veteran team. Since the loss, Trinity has not allowed 40 points during a six-game winning streak and has looked rejuvenated on offense, averaging 64.5 points during the stretch.

Trinity, which was ranked third in the state in Class AAA by PennLive.com early last week, is currently the highest-scoring Class AAA team in the WPIAL and it’s been a balanced attack.

Junior guard Sierra Kotchman averages a team-high 19.5 points per game, senior center Mary Dunn, a Youngstown State recruit, averages 17 and sophomore guard Alayna Cappelli 10.7.

“The girls realized they lost a golden opportunity there,” Miles said. “It might have woke up one or two of our players. Obviously, it was a measuring stick for us and our defense has gotten much better since then. Things have definitely been different since that game.”

The Hillers’ playoff run last season was defined by struggles on defense. This season, defense – the Hillers use a mix of man-to-man and zone – has been an emphasis.

In last Monday’s section win over Quaker Valley, Trinity allowed eight points in the first half. Two days later, Montour scored only 13 in the second half. The latter helped the Hillers fulfill a goal they set before the season – hold every opponent to 35 points or fewer.

They are allowing just 38.8 per game, but whenever an opponent breaks the 35-point mark, Miles hears a groan from his players on the bench. The sound of frustration is music to his ears.

For the Hillers, depth and development of role players has been a key. Senior guard Natalie Cappelli has excelled shadowing the opponent’s top players, senior forward Delaney Elling continues to improve as a complement to Dunn and junior Abbey O’Connor gives Trinity another strong rebounder.

“The defense has been a big part of what we’re doing,” Miles said. “They’re starting to realize that our offense can feed off the defense. We’ve mixed and matched a bit with our defense. That’s given us the chance to play different lineups and the role players have really stepped up.”

The football season ended weeks ago but the postseason awards keep filing in for local athletes, including those at Washington, which had two players selected to the Pennsylvania Football News’ all-state teams.

Senior tight end Nate Swart, a Toledo commit, was named to the Class AA first team. The 6-5 two-way starter caught only eight passes (three touchdowns) but blocked for an offense that had 2,979 rushing yards. A two-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Swart also was an Elite 11 selection by the Observer-Reporter.

Wash High senior Khalid Blount was named to the second team as a defensive lineman after a dominant season. Blount, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount, has scholarship offers from Robert Morris, Duquesne and New Hampshire, among others.

South Fayette senior running back Hunter Hayes was named to the Class AA team after rushing for 1,381 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 2015 O-R Player of the Year finished his career with 3,954 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns.

South Fayette senior wide receiver Nick Ponikvar, junior kicker Dan Trimble and senior defensive lineman Zack Radinick each received honorable mention.

In Class AAA, Trinity senior Sam Trapuzzano, who is expected to be a walk-on at Bucknell, was named to the first team. In Class A, Chartiers-Houston senior kicker Michael Cushma was named to the first team.

Canon-McMillan senior center Becca Turney, an Eastern Michigan recruit, is one of 15 nominees from the state for the McDonald’s All-American girls basketball game.

A 6-3 force in the lane, Turney was one of just two WPIAL players nominated. The other is Norwin senior Alayna Gribble, a Pitt recruit.

Twenty-four of the nominees nationally will be selected to play March 30 at the United Center in Chicago.