Feb 22, 2016 5 min read

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A quick glance at the statistics and scores makes it fairly easy for people to think the WPIAL title should have been delivered to Monessen High School weeks ago.

The Greyhounds average 93 points per game and have four players averaging more than 17 points per game. Sure, they use speed to thrive in transition, but Monessen is more than a team that relies on the press.

Not only can the Greyhounds drive to the rim, but they can knock down three-pointers and swing the ball very well. Union found that out the hard way, when Monessen scored a WPIAL-record 112 points to advance to the semifinals.

It will finally face a tough test Tuesday night with a semifinal game against fourth-seeded North Catholic (16-8). Tipoff is 6 p.m. at Chartiers Valley.

A quick glance at the Greyhounds’ opponent’s record can be pretty deceiving. The Trojans started the season on a five-game losing streak, including a three-point non-section loss to Monessen, but they are 16-3 since the skid, including wins in 14 of their last 15 games.

How they have accomplished the turnaround is what is truly impressive. North Catholic is the only team to hold Vincentian to under 50 points, beating the Royals twice in section play.

The Trojans are big inside with senior forward Eric Taylor (6-4) and junior swingman Kenny Fukon (6-2), which could cause some serious issues for Monessen, which doesn’t have much size. The Greyhounds defense usually forces poor shot selection and their offense seems to rarely miss, but that won’t always be the case.

Rebounds are crucial in big games and with North Catholic’s size, I’m not about to reserve Monessen a spot at The Pete. Before the playoffs started, I asked Greyhounds head coach Joe Salvino which team has the potential to be the most dangerous in Class A.

His answer: North Catholic. He marveled at their size and was surprised that the Trojans lost eight games.

That being said, I don’t think they have what it takes to stop all of Monessen’s weapons and though North Catholic has size, that won’t mean much if the Greyhounds play a complete four quarters. Salvino will have them ready and if they start fast, that will prevent the Trojans from slowing the game down with an inside-out game.

But try stopping Dwight Moore (22.6 ppg), Jaden Altomore (18.1 ppg), Lavalle Rush (17.8 ppg) and Justice Rice (17.5). Each is too quick to guard man-to-man and teams find themselves trailing big so early that switchign to a zone is out of the question.

That happens here.

Prediction: Monessen is headed back to the WPIAL championship game.

Wednesday at West Allegheny (8 p.m.)

The Hillers advanced to the semifinals with a 56-41 win over South Park and the Planets upset third-seeded Ambridge, 57-38.

Though the majority of Trinity’s scoring comes from senior center Mary Dunn (17.8 ppg) and junior point guard Sierra Kotchman (17.8), the Hillers can play as many as nine players and have sophomore guard Alayna Cappelli, who had 17 points in the win over South Park.

One year after it saw its WPIAL title hopes end against eventual WPIAL and PIAA champion Blackhawk, Trinity has won seven consecutive games and has very few weaknesses. The Hillers average 61.7 ppg and only allow 37 – both rank first in Class AAA.

Mars is led by freshman guard Tai Johnson (17.2 ppg), who scored 20 points in the win over Ambridge, sophomore guard Lauren Wasylson and junior guard Nicol McCloud. The Planets, who shared the Section 1-AAA title with Hampton, are on a 10-game winning streak and though they lack height, they a 1-2-2 zone defense in the full court and a 3-2 zone in the half court have helped them hold opponents to just 39.8 ppg.

“They’re a young and athletic team for sure,” Trinity head coach Bob Miles said of Mars. “They like to go up-tempo a little bit and then they kind of slow it down. They give you multiple looks on defense.”

Prediction: Trinity advances to The Pete

Wednesday at West Allegheny (6 p.m.)

The Lions avoided an upset last Saturday, when they held Chartiers Valley to six fourth-quarter points to secure a win. South Fayette is trying to return to the WPIAL championship game and now has a chance to make a lengthy playoff run with junior point guard Carlee Kilgus expected to return any day.

It’s amazing that the Lions are 13-2 since Kilgus got hurt in a non-section game against Gateway over winter break. Players such as Mikayla Fetchet, Sam Kosmacki and Maddie Gutierrez have helped make that happen.

South Fayette is allowing just 40.1 points per game this season and the player to watch against Hampton is senior center Emily Anderson, who scored 10 points against CV, despite being in foul trouble during the second half. Hampton does not have anyone who can match up with her, so I expect the Talbots to double her in the post, which would possibly leave some open looks on the perimeter.

The player to watch for Hampton is sophomore guard Ali Collins, who is averaging 15 points per game.

Prediction: South Fayette wins