Jan 11, 2024 4 min read

It’s not easy to win at South Fayette, and for three-plus quarters, Trinity wasn’t.

But Kathy McConnell-Miller’s Hillers outscored South Fayette 16-11 in the fourth quarter, then 12-7 in overtime to get a big section win 62-57.

“We have one of the toughest sections in 5A top to bottom,” McConnell-Miller said after the game. “Great coaches. Competitive teams. To go on the road and get a W is not easy. So, I’m super proud of our performance.”

For Bryan Bennett, Trinity “took advantage” of South Fayette on the inside in the second half.

A big part of that for Trinity was Maddy Roberts, who scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half. Aggie Niccolai had 17 points, eight of which coming in overtime, where she went 6-for-6 from the line. Ruby Morgan scored an even 10 points for the Hillers.

“Our kids played extremely hard,” Bennett said. “I have to do a better job of putting our kids in the right position.

“I thought we could have probably got to double the post a little bit quicker, our weakside didn’t drop to the opposite block, they got a couple of easy baskets because our rotations were slow. They (Trinity) put you in a bind when they overload the one side, so we just have to a better job next time.”

South Fayette got off to a fast start, leading 12-5 with 1:30 left in the first quarter. South Fayette led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter. South Fayette kept control in the second quarter, leading 24-16. Lainey Yater led South Fayette with eight first-half points. Ruby Morgan led Trinity with eight.

For McConnell-Miller, Trinity’s defensive effort in the second half was a big difference.

“I thought, defensively, we got really lockdown,” she said. “I wasn’t disappointed with the defensive performance in the first half- we only gave up 24 points- so I wasn’t disappointed with that, we just weren’t connecting on the offensive end. So to change the mindset from the first half to the second half, offensively and defensively, is a sign of a mature team, and I felt like we did that today.”

Trinity kept fighting in the third quarter, but South Fayette still held a 39-34 going into the last period. Trinity cut the deficit to two within the last five minutes. Then, with 3:57 left, a basket by Agatha Niccolli tied the game for Trinity. A minute later, the same source gave Trinity the lead with a three. South Fayette answered with a 3 freshman Lailah Wright. With 1:16 to play, Trinity retook the lead on a basket by Sam Home.

Trinity held on for the next 1:11, but with five seconds left, Juliette Leroux scored to tie the game and ultimately send it to overtime.

McConnell-Miller knew that the team playing for each other would be key in the last four minutes.

“We told (the players,) ‘look right, look left, we’re here for each other,” she said. “If we come together, we will be able to perform. We’ll be able to outlast them. If we make the extra pass, if we limit our turnovers, just the simple things that we do in practice, if we can translate that to this overtime, we’ll be fine.”

Trinity was more than fine.

The Hillers re-took control, scoring the first eight points in the OT period and never looking back.

For South Fayette, Alexa Ankurm led the way with 12 points and Hayley Lamonde scored 10.

Trinity will look to keep it going Tuesday at home against Lincoln Park. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30. South Fayette is at West Allegheny at the same time Monday.