Jan 9, 2018 4 min read

The game plans are usually the same for the Trinity High School girls basketball team. The Hillers stress the effort things, such as defense and rebounding, and the little things, like making free throws and not committing turnovers.

And when the Hillers play a top-ranked opponent, like it did Tuesday night, it helps if Trinity has an experienced guard who is making shots from behind the three-point line.

Alayna Cappelli scored a game-high 25 points, which included five three-point field goals, and Riley DeRubbo contributed 20 points as the Hillers knocked off Thomas Jefferson 52-39 in a nonsection game at Hiller Hall.

TJ (10-2) was the WPIAL’s top-rankled team in Class 5A and had won 10 in a row. Trinity (10-3), however, outscored the Jaguars 13-4 in the second quarter to take a 25-20 lead. The Hillers’ lead remained at five points after three quarters and Trinity outscored TJ, 14-6, in the pivotal fourth quarter.

The scoring of Cappelli and DeRubbo, combined with 13 rebounds from Jayme Britton and the Hillers shooting well from the free-throw line, was the winning combination for Trinity.

“We finished each half strong and made 10 of 13 free throws for the game. It was a typical Trinity win, I guess,” Hillers coach Bob Miles said. “We played good defense, rebounded the basketball and made free throws.”

Maryina Peruzzi led TJ with 12 points and Jenna Clark had 10.

Beth-Center 45, Serra Catholic 33: Kinlee Whited scored a game-high 21 points and Beth-Center used a pivotal 9-0 run in the third quarter and some clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to win at Serra Catholic, 45-33, and move into a three-way tie for first place in Section 3-AA.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-1 in the section and are tied atop the standings with California and Serra (4-1, 6-4), which suffered its first section loss.

Beth-Center led 19-17 at halftime and used the 9-0 run to open a double-digit lead. Whited, who finished with seven rebounds, made seven free throws in the fourth quarter. Olivia Greco had a solid all-around game for the Bulldogs with 14 points and five assists. She scored 11 of her points in the pivotal third quarter.

Geibel Catholic 38, Jefferson-Morgan 29: Sisters Gabby and Gillian Yourish combined for 28 points and Geibel Catholic remained undefeated in Section 2-A with a 38-29 victory over host Jefferson-Morgan.

Gabby Yourish scored a game-high 16 points and Gillian Yourish had 12 for the Gators, who improved to 3-0 in section and 5-4 overall. Geibel led 16-6 at halftime and 28-10 after three quarters before having to fight off a late J-M rally.

Bryann Body led the Rockets with 11 points. Jefferson-Morgan outscored Geibel 19-10 in the fourth quarter.

California 39, Carmichaels 34: Bailey Vig scored 15 points as California continued its recent surge with a 39-34 victory at Carmichaels in Section 3-AA.

The Trojans, who have won five of their last six games, improved to 4-1 in the section and 7-3 overall. The Troajsn are in a three-way tie for first place in the section. Carmichaels slipped to 1-4, 4-7.

The game was close throughout with California leading 24-22 at halftime and 28-27 after three quarters. The Trojans, who made 11 of 19 free throws, did just enough at the stripe down the stretch to maintain the lead.

Dajah Gundel joined Vig in double figures with 12 points.

Carmichaels was led by Kristina Aeschbacher, who matched Vig with 15 points. Megan Walker had 10 points for the Mikes.

West Greene 69, Monessen 22: West Greene moved to a perfect 10 with a 69-22 rout of Monessen in a Section 2-A game.

Madison Lampe led the Pioneers (3-0, 10-0) with 15 points, Kaitlyn Rizor added 14 points and Jersey Wise scored 10 points. West Greene bolted to a 22-4 first quarter lead and never looked back.

Quitarah Hardison scored 11 points for Monessen (0-3, 1-10).

Canon-McMillan 72, Baldwin 49: Tamara Mathis came close to a quadruple-double in Canon-McMillan’s 72-49 victory over Baldwin in a Section 3 game in Class 6A.

Mathis, a 5-7 junior point guard, scored 23 points, pulled down nine rebounds, handed out nine assists and had eight steals for the Big Macs (1-2, 8-3), who led 33-26 at halftime. Izzy Allen scored 20 points and Abby Daniels 12 for C-M, which has won three of four.

Baldwin (0-3, 2-8) was aided by Abby Larkin’s 21 points.

Washington 61, Fort Cherry 32: Torri Finley scored a game-high 15 points and Washington’s defense held Fort Cherry to eight points at halftime in a 61-32 victory in a Section 1-AA game.

Carley Allen tossed in 12 points and Randi Thomas 11 for Wash High (3-1, 6-3). Jahlea Oakley had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Fort Cherry (4-1, 8-3) was led by Abby Cooper’s 12 points.