Mar 5, 2015 4 min read

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There’s no question that few teams in the PIAA can compete with Monessen’s athleticism. Joe Salvino’s team suffocates opponents with a pressure defense that creates turnovers and the Greyhounds capitalize in transition.

Not only can Monessen excel using its up-tempo style to wear out other teams, but it leads to mismatches which creates time and space. With that, the Greyhounds score plenty of points with their outside shooting.

Against Jeanette in the WPIAL title game, the Jayhawks were caught chasing Monessen, which left guards open on the perimeter. Teams with the same size cannot keep up, but they are forced to try.

Venango Catholic won’t have to do that Friday night when the Vikings open the PIAA playoffs against the Greyhounds at Canon-McMillan.

The Vikings are led by 6-11 forward Devin Zagar and Scott Toy, who is 6-2. Zagar averages 17.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, while Toy chips in 15 per game. Facing talented players isn’t the issue for Monessen, but facing that type of size can create problems.

Yes, Jeannette is a larger team and the Greyhounds did face large team in non-section play, but nothing can prepare them for facing Zagar, who is pure-scoring big man. Getting him into foul trouble is the goal and pressuring Venango Catholic’s guards to the point where passing into the lane isn’t an option.

That is something Monessen can do. I believe that on defense, the Greyhounds can limit Zagar and Toy with their half-court press, but it is on offense where I have concerns.

Monessen can stretch teams out with the three-point shot, but overconfidence and shot selection is a concern. Against the Jayhawks, the Greyhounds struggled with that in the opening minutes.

They simply cannot afford to do that. Monessen does not have the same rebounding prowess it had last season with Justice Rawlins and Clintell Gillaspie. I do think this year’s team fits Salvino’s system perfectly, but they need to play within that system.

Excel in transition and make responsible decisions when the pace does slow down. That being said, I do think the Greyhounds are ready for a length run in the PIAA Class A playoffs. Winning the WPIAL gave them a favorable placement in the bracket with a potential matchup against Kennedy Catholic in the quarterfinals.

If Monessen plays to a potential, I believe a trip to Hershey is not farfetched.

McGuffey/South Fayette

This matchup in PIAA Class AAA girls grabbed everyone by surprise. The Highlanders and Lions faced each other twice during the regular season with both teams grabbing a victory at home.

Though it is odd, four of the seven WPIAL teams in the bracket are playing each other in the first round. Blackhawk, which defeated South Fayette in the WPIAL title game, is facing South Park at Ambridge Saturday, but that game won’t be as competitive.

The Highlanders and Lions match up very evenly, especially if SF junior center Emily Anderson does not play. Both teams excel in transition and are tough defensively.

McGuffey surprised many people with its success in Class AAA this season, but the Highlanders were able to make a smooth transition with Sammie Weiss and Rachel Czulewicz.

I’m just concerned about McGuffey’s depth, which is something South Fayette has plenty of.

Bellhy joins 1K club

Fort Cherry graduate Beka Bellhy, a junior forward for Washington & Jefferson, scored her 1,000th career point Wednesday night during a victory

over Waynesburg in the ECAC South Tournament quarterfinals.

The 2012 Observer-Reporter Player of the Year, Bellhy is the 15th player in program history to accomplish -the feat. Beka’s younger sister, Rachel, also had a memorable night.

Rachel, a freshman forward for the Presidents, scored a career-high eight points while playing a season-high 13 minutes.

Coming next

I’ll have an analysis on the hiring of a new football coach at Trinity. The Hillers could make some noise in the Big Nine Conference next season.