Champs Sports Network- Copyright 2009
PBC Fouth annual High School Basketball Classic
By: Josh Taylor
The Pittsburgh Basketball Club hosted its fourth annual High School Basketball Classic over the weekend at the Sewell Center on the Robert Morris University campus. Fourteen local boys' basketball teams showcased on the hardwood, while six legendary coaches were honored for their success manning the sidelines.
In the first game of the day, Washington outlasted high-powered Lincoln Park, 66-50. Senior Troy Wilson led the Little Prexies with 20 points in the victory, while junior Chaquille Pratt scored 26 in the losing effort.
In the second game of the showcase, Ambridge edged out Canon-McMillan, 47-45. The Big Macs lost their second close game in consecutive days, after falling to Thomas Jefferson in overtime the day before. Elijah Carter led the Bridgers with 15 points.
The shocker of the day belonged to the Oliver Bears, who beat Gateway, 54-44. After Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, VA) withdrew from the tournament 48 hours earlier due to a snowstorm, Oliver was inserted as their replacement. Oliver's Evan Schell stole the show from the Gators, scoring 26 points, including seven three-pointers.
The WPIAL's leading scorer was on display in the fourth game of the day, and Chartiers Valley's T.J. McConnell didn't disappoint. The former Clearview Student-Athlete of the Week and Duquesne University recruit scored 33 points -- he averages 33.9 -- in a 72-45 win over Beaver Falls.
Upper St. Clair used their defense to slow down Aliquippa after being outscored, 15-9 in the first quarter. They outscored the Quips, 43-20, the rest of the way in a 52-35 win. Junior guard Steve Limberiou led the Panthers with 15 points and senior point guard Jordan Albert scored 11, while Aliquippa guard Troy Jeter led all scorers with 16.
The defending WPIAL Class A champion Sewickley Academy squared off with South Fayette, one of the top-ranked teams in AA, in the 6:30 p.m. matchup. Senior guard and Davidson recruit Tom Droney scored 25 as the Panthers beat South Fayette, 56-47. Junior guard Mike Lamberti scored 20 for the Lions, including his 1,000th career point with a free throw in the first period.
During halftime of the Sewickley Academy-South Fayette game, the Pittsburgh Basketball Club inducted six high school coaches into its Hall of Fame: New Castle's John Sarandrea, Aliquippa's Mike Zmijanic, Cornell's Ed Wovchko, Perry's Chuck Franklin, Blackhawk's John Miller, and Sto-Rox's Richard Cetrone.
The last -- and most exciting -- game of the night featured WPIAL Class AAAA Kiski Area and Seneca Valley. Kiski Area got a game-high 24 points from junior guard Zach Barker in a 62-59 victory.
Junior point guard Christian Durbin scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half for the Raiders in a game that saw 10 lead changes, including seven in the fourth quarter. But a driving layup by Kiski senior point guard Tarique Godson with nine seconds remaining put the Cavaliers ahead for good.
It was an admirable performance for Seneca Valley, who played in the showcase just days after losing three classmates in an automobile accident last week.
*Note: The only place you can relive all the action of the PBC Pittsburgh Basketball Classic is right here on the Champs Sports Network.*
