West Greene meets challenge, back in Class A title game
Observer-Reporter
West Greene’s Jersey Wise (3) is averaging 18.4 points per game in her expanded role for the Pioneers this season.
West Greene vs. Vincentian semifinals
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
West Greene’s Kaitlyn Rizor drives the ball around Vincentian’s Hannah Katz Tuesday.
West Greene’sMadison Lampe shoots for three against Vincentian’s Saige Smith
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
West Greene’s head coach Jordan Watson talks to his team Tuesday during a timeout in the fourth quarter.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
West Greene’s McKenna Lampe catches a pass around Vincentian’s Melina Cortez in the semifinals. The Pioneers play Rochester in the WPIAL Class A Championship today at 3 p.m.
McMURRAY – During a timeout in the first quarter, West Greene coach Jordan Watson asked his players how badly they wanted to win their Class A girls basketball semifinal against Vincentian Academy on Tuesday night at Peters Township High School.
“I challenged them,” Watson said. “I told them that we have been here before and to not be afraid of the moment. I simply asked if they wanted it, and if they did … then just take it.”
The Pioneers came out of the timeout with a 14-1 run and then withstood a late rally by Vincentian to punch their ticket to the championship game at the Peterson Event Center for the second straight year with a thrilling 59-55 victory.
“It feels so good to get back to the Pete,” said McKenna Lampe, who scored a game-high 24 points for West Greene. “Tonight was a really tough game and we had to play a full 32 minutes to get the win. We never stop fighting and we kept our heads in the game. Our defense and boxing out really won this game for us.”
Top-seeded West Greene, which last year was the first Greene County girls team to advance to a WPIAL finals but lost to Winchester Thurston, will play No. 2 seed Rochester (18-6) Friday at 3 p.m. Rochester defeated Quigley Catholic, 66-56, in the other semifinal.
The game plan was simple for the Pioneers (22-2): be aggressive on offense with drives, get Vincentian in foul trouble and make free throws.
West Greene went 16-for-20 at the free-throw line and was able to wear down the much taller Royals (12-12) with a fast-paced and relentless defensive effort.
“We had bad night at the foul line in the quarterfinals,” Watson said. “We stressed to them to attack the rim. We had to be near perfect at the foul line if we wanted to win. They had some of their bigs in foul trouble and we just had to wear them down. I don’t think we could have won this type of game two or three years ago. Our senior leaders have really evolved over the years.”
Madison Lampe recorded 12 of her 18 points in the second half and connected on four three-pointers. Jersey Wise and Kaitlyn Rizor had six points each.
“I just found my shot in the second half,” Madison Lampe said. “I always practice shooting and I try to keep the same motion every shot. I had some open looks because they were crashing inside a lot. I knew in order to win tonight we had to be disciplined on offense and not force shots.”
Alana Winkler (21 points) and Hannah Katz (13) were in double figures for Vincentian.
West Greene opened the game with five straight points, but Vincentian, which had advanced to the WPIAL finals seven straight years and won six titles in that span, countered with an 8-0 run before the Pioneers called a timeout.
After the timeout, West Greene responded with the huge run that turned the tide and gave them the lead for good. The Pioneers led 19-9 at the end of one quarter and McKenna Lampe scored 12 points in the opening eight minutes.
The teams exchanged 6-0 runs to start the second quarter, but the Royals ended the half on a 6-2 spree and trailed 27-21 at halftime.
After Vincentian trimmed the lead to 30-27 in the opening minutes of the third quarter, West Greene responded with an 11-3 spurt that included a four-point play by Wise.
“I just try to space out and always look to shoot,” Wise said. “The ball came to me and I got a good look. I’m always looking for that kick-out pass. I always come out ready. My mentality is the same whether I start or come off the bench. I know I have to step up in certain spots.”
The Royals scored the final five points of the third quarter and went on a 9-4 run in the fourth to close to within 50-48.
McKenna Lampe, who scored 10 points in the fourth, then made two foul shots and a basket sandwiched around a bucket by Katz. A Winkler layup again made it a one-possession game, 54-52, with 2:02 left.
West Greene clamped down defensively the rest of the way, allowing only a meaningless 3-pointer in the final seconds. The Pioneers went five-for-seven at the free-throw line in the final 1:32 to secure the victory and a spot in the finals.
“It’s unreal that we are going back to the Pete,” Watson said. “We have coached most of these girls since middle school. Our whole senior class has been great for four years. They carried the load and developed over the years. Our goal and our expectation is to win the title. We will rely on our experience.”