Greyhounds run out of gas in 61-49 setback to Vincentian Academy
Monessen’s Devin Whitlock makes a lay up against Vincentian Academy’s Angelo Reeves in the WPIAL Class A semifinals at the Peters Township High School on Monday, Feb. 25. 2019.
Monessen’s Jae Brice against Vincentian Academy’s Alex Griggs ,center, and Angelo Reeves in the WPIAL Class A semifinals at the Peters Township High School on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Monessen coach Dan Bosnic gives his team instructions during a timeout in a playoff game against Vincentian Academy. Monessen faces Bishop Carroll tonight.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Monessen’s Devin Whitlock and Vincentian Academy’s Nate Cullo go up for a rebound in the WPIAL Class A semifinal playoff game at Peters Township High School.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Monessen’s DeWayne Howell is fouled as he shoots against Vincentian Academy in the WPIAL Class A semifinal playoff game at the Peters Township High School Monday night.
McMURRAY — Monessen battled top-seed Vincentian Academy from start to finish, but coach Dan Bosnic’s Greyhounds ran out of gas after playing a frenetic pace from the opening tip-off in the Royals’ 61-49 victory in the semifinals of the WPIAL Class A boys basketball playoffs on Monday at Peters Twp. High School.
The Royals (16-7) advance to Thursday’s final against Nazareth Prep (18-3) at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh. The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Monessen’s season is not over, as the Greyhounds (15-9) have already qualified for the PIAA playoffs by reaching the WPIAL semifinals.
“We are proud of our guys,” Bosnic said. “We are going to let them get a short rest here, then we are going to prepare as a team to win games in the state tournament, and I think that we are capable of doing that.
“Vincentian Academy is a good basketball team and they have a lot of good basketball players on that team from different areas, and I thought we gave them everything they wanted tonight, and really showed heart and resiliency, and I couldn’t be any more proud of our guys.
“As a coach, you are never satisfied with a result where you are not winning the game, but at the same time, to tell you I’m disappointed in our kids, I can’t tell you that. I’m truly proud to coach these guys.”
Monessen battled back in the third quarter after trailing by 10 at halftime to take a 45-43 lead heading into the fourth after outscoring Vincentian Academy, 16-4, in the period.
“I thought we really battled all throughout that game,” Bosnic said. “The showed resiliency, and at the end, I don’t think we had enough in the tank and just ran out of gas.”
The Royals opened up the first 4:10 of the fourth on a 7-2 run to take a 50-47 advantage, and Bosnic took a timeout.
Vincentian Academy’s Alex Griggs tied the game on a layup for two of his game-high 18 points before the Greyhounds’ Elijahwa Payne scored inside for two of his six.
The Royals took a one-point lead on Ethan Embleton’s three and Nate Cullo made two free throws. Cullo had 12 points on four field goals and was 4 of 6 at the line.
Monessen’s Darnel Howell scored to cut the deficit to 50-49, but it was the last basket the Greyhounds would score, as Angelo Reeves scored inside for two of his 14 before Vincentian Academy forced a turnover and Griggs made two free throws for a 54-49 lead.
The Royals forced a stop on defense and Griggs scored at the other end for a seven-point advantage. Griggs added four straight free throws and Cullo made 1 of 2 at the line. Vincentian Academy shot 19 of 27 at the line, but more importantly, were 9 for 10 in the fourth.
“Vincentian is a good basketball team and they showed why they are the No. 1 seed tonight,” Bosnic said. “But our kids will fight and battle you to the end.”
Monessen held a 15-14 lead after the first quarter, as freshman Devin Whitlock made three baskets for six of his team-high 14 points and Dishon Howell added five points on two field goals, including one 3-pointer.
Reeves was strong inside with five points in the opening period on one field goal and was 3 for 6 at the line.
Whitlock played like a senior and showed no fear, as he scored on a spinning layup to tie the game at 21 with 4:39 left in the first half and also drove for a layup on the six-foot-seven Embleton.
“Devin (Whitlock) showed it tonight, and we’ve seen it all season long, he’s fearless,” Bosnic said. “He will attack you the whole game, and he’s willingness to compete and go after teams is impressive for a freshman. To be that demonstrative and aggressive as a young kid.”
The Royals responded to Whitlock’s heroics by showing why they are the No. 1 seed in Class A. Vincentian Academy went on a 9-0 run for a 30-21 advantage with three minutes remaining. The Royals outscored the Greyhounds, 25-14, in the second for a 39-29 halftime lead.
Monessen went on an 11-4 run to cut the deficit to 43-40 with 2:59 left in the third quarter. The Greyhounds’ DaWayne Howell scored inside and made the and-one for three of his eight points to tie the game and Whitlock scored on a layup at the buzzer for the two-point advantage heading into the fourth.