Mar 16, 2017 2 min read

AMBRIDGE – To knock off a team as talented as Hampton, South Fayette looked inside.

Samantha Kosmacki scored 14 points, including a crucial put back with 12 seconds remaining to clinch a 68-65 victory for South Fayette over Hampton Thursday night in the PIAA Class 5A basketball playoffs at Ambridge High School.

Kosmacki’s basket came off a miss on a breakaway as Hampton was pressing the ball at the other end of the court. The basket made it a five-point lead and took the starch out of the Talbots.

“Our dream is to get on a bus and go to Hershey and that dream is still alive,” said South Fayette head coach Matt Bacco. “As long as the dream is alive, there’s a chance.”

Jordyn Caputo, a 5-10 forward, scored 15 points for the Lions (19-6), who play Oakland Catholic Saturday at a site and time to be determined. Carlee Kilgus had 14 points and seven rebounds, Maddie Gutierrez added 13 points and Mauro Castelluci added 10.

Ali Collins scored a game-high 24 points for Hampton (23-4), Laryn Edwards had 15 and Jen Lafko 14.

South Fayette built a 35-24 lead at halftime with an 8-2 run to end the half.

Each team received a technical foul in the first half. Hampton was assessed one when Allison Collins fouled to check in at the scorer’s table before taking the floor with 13 seconds remaining in the quarter. Castelluci sank three free throws – one for the technical foul and the other for being fouled on a shot – to give the Lions a 17-12 lead after one quarter.

Castelluci was assessed a technical foul with 4:36 left in the half after she knocked down a Hampton player under the basket. Lafko hit one of two free throws to start a 5-0 Hampton run that gave the Talbots their only lead of the half, 21-20, with just under three minute to go.