Trinity upset by Chartiers Valley in WPIAL semis
Riley DeRubbo puts up a shot during action against Chartiers Valley. The freshman scored 10 points to stake Trinity to 20-15 halftime lead against the Colts.
Sierra Kotchman attempts to put up a shot during WPIAL 5-A semifinal action but is thwarted by Gabi Legister. Trinity lost its bid to reach the championship game, falling to Chartiers Valley, 47-35.
CORAOPOLIS – There were two items in the scorebook Wednesday night that stood out to everyone who watched the WPIAL girls basketball semifinal game between Trinity and Chartiers Valley.
One was Chartiers Valley’s marksmanship at the free-throw line. The Colts made 21 of 23 foul shots compared to only 11 field goals.
The other item was Chartiers Valley’s defense. The Colts shut out Trinity’s high-scoring senior guard Sierra Kotchman. A 19-points-per game scorer, Kotchman did not make a field goal and did not attempt a free throw in 32 minutes.
Both of those variables played significantly in Chartiers Valley upsetting second-seeded Trinity 47-35 in a Class 5-A game at Moon High School.
Which one of the two was the key to the Colts’ victory?
“Both,” CV coach Dan Slain said firmly.
“Our formula is 70-80-90. If we make 70 percent of our free throws and 80 percent of our layups, then we’ll win 90 percent of the time and make me happy 100 percent of the time. And our defense was phenomenal tonight.”
Sixth-seeded Chartiers Valley (18-7) avenged a 17-point loss to Trinity (22-3) back on Dec. 27 in the California University Hoopfest and will play fourth-seeded Oakland Catholic in the WPIAL’s first 5-A title game Saturday. Oakland Catholic upset top-seeded Hampton in the other semifinal.
Trinity will enter the PIAA tournament March 11 as either the third- or fourth-place team from the WPIAL.
Chartiers Valley, which has won 10 in a row after stumbling to an 8-7 start, trailed 32-29 after Trinity guard Alayna Cappelli opened the fourth quarter with a three-point play at the end of a fast-break. The Hillers, however, would score only four more points the rest of the night.
“We missed some shots. We had good looks and had opportunities, but we didn’t make shots,” Trinity coach Bob Miles said.
While Kotchman had trouble shaking the defense of CV freshman guard Megan McConnell, the younger sister of Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell, the Hillers were able to do good work on the offensive boards for three quarters. The Colts’ focus on Kotchman freed up senior Abbey O’Connor and freshman Riley DeRubbo under the basket. DeRubbo scored a team-high 11 points and O’Connor followed with 10. Both players scored all of their points in the first three quarters.
“We picked up fouls in the second half and couldn’t be as aggressive going to the boards,” Miles said. “Riley got a lot of second-chance opportunities the first three quarters then she got in foul trouble and we had to sit her. Abbey did a good job against their big girl.”
The Hillers had 11 second-chance points over the second and third quarters but none in the fourth. Chartiers Valley took the lead for good when Abbey Collins drove down the lane for her only hoop of the game, making it 35-33. It was part of 13-0 fourth-quarter run by the Colts.
Mackenzie Wagner did most of the damage for CV, scoring a game-high 26 points. She was 16 for 17 at the free-throw line. And without Kotchman’s usual offensive production, the Hillers didn’t have enough firepower to fuel another late comeback like they did in the quarterfinals. Trinity also couldn’t overcome an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers.
“Who would have thought Sierra wouldn’t score?” Miles asked. “Give Chartiers Valley credit. They defended Sierra very well.”
That was the Colts’ plan, Slain said.
“We had to keep her in single digits and not let her shoot three-pointers,” he explained. “Those threes are backbreakers.
“Megan did a great job of guarding. She’s only 5-5 but she’s a pitbull with an attitude. She has a heart that’s 6-5. Guarding Kotchman was her assignment and she passed with flying colors.”