Feb 21, 2017 3 min read

CHARLEROI – Just 90 seconds into its WPIAL Class 6-A first-round basketball game Tuesday night, Canon-McMillan fell behind 7-0 to Hempfield and never recovered.

The Big Macs season came to an end, 64-47.

When asked what the biggest difference in the game was, Canon-McMillan’s second-year head coach Lou Waller did not hesitate to answer.

“The main difference early on was that we could not hit any shots and they did,” he said.

“We could not hit inside or outside and we picked up defensively wanting to pressure the ball. But it led to them having open shots and they hit them.

“We got down early and could never cut the gap.”

Seton Hill commit Cheyenne Trest hit a jumper to get the Big Macs (8-15) on the board with 5:06 to play in the first quarter, but the senior picked up her second foul at the 2:54 mark.

The Big Macs were down 9-2 at that point, and by the end of the first quarter, Hempfield (14-8) – aided by eight first quarter turnovers by the Big Macs – led 20-7.

“We tried to shut down (Michele) Burns and we gave up some easy buckets to others and it set the tone,” Waller said. “They turned us over but some of them were self-inflicted, no pressure turnovers and those will get you every time.”

Trest hit a three-pointer to start the second quarter and a Lauren Powers free throw made the score 20-11, but a 7-0 Hempfield run made it 27-11 and Trest’s third foul with 4:22 to play in the half left Canon-Mac in a bind.

However, the team kept fighting and trailed 33-16 at the half.

“We got in foul trouble with her and she is our leading scorer and best player,” Waller said.

Three times in the second half, the Big Macs scored consecutive baskets only to have a potential run thwarted by a Hempfield basket.

“We would score and played so hard to pressure them that it seemed that we would give one up on the other end,” said Waller.

“But we have to play through that. We played a good team and they were better than us.”

Trest made seven of 13 attempts, including five of eight form long distance, and finished her stellar career with 22 points, despite her foul problems.

Waller said she brought much to the team.

“She started at point guard for four years and you’re not going to replace that very easily,” he said. “She is an inside outside player and will be sorely missed.”

Ali Belgiovane and Burns led Hempfield with 18 points each, Allison Podkul added 15 and Sarah Golden had 12.

The Big Macs lose three seniors in Trest, Brittany Crawford, and Kierra King.

King suffered torn ACL in the 10th game of the season and missed the rest of the year.

“Not to make an excuse, but we missed her,” he said. “Without our senior leadership from those three, we wouldn’t be here today.”

Hempfield advances to take on top-seeded North Allegheny.