NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT/D9) — The Redbank Valley girls basketball team found itself in a big hole.
The Bulldogs were able to dig out of it, but weren’t able to hang on in a 55-51 home loss to Clairton in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs on Friday night.
(Pictured above, Redbank Valley senior Izzy Bond)
Redbank trailed the Bears 36-24 at the half, but stormed back to take a 49-46 lead after a 3-pointer by the Bulldogs’ lone senior, Izzy Bond midway through the fourth quarter.
But Clairton and its star, Iyanna Wade, had one more run in them.
Wade scored all nine points for the Bears over the final four minutes to end the Bulldogs’ season.
Wade, who came into the game leading the nation at more than 40 points per game, scored 39 to lead Clairton.
Kira Bonanno led Redbank Valley with 15 points. She also had 11 rebounds.
Mylee Harmon added 14 and Bond 11 in the loss.
SETON LASALLE 66, KARNS CITY 46
The Gremlins trailed by just two at the half at 24-22, but Seton LaSalle used a big third quarter to pull away for a PIAA Class 3A first-round win.
Karns City was outscored 23-12 in the pivotal third quarter and 42-24 in the second half.
Savanna Prescott and Brooklynn Taylor eached scored 12 to lead Karns City.
Mallory Daly paced Seton LaSalle with 25 points and Tiara Curry added 21.
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 45, MONESSEN 16
Lucy Klawuhn scored 12 points and the Crusader defense did the rest as the Crusaders opened the PIAA Class A playoffs with a home victory.
ECC clamped down on the Greyhounds, holding them to just five points in the first half in taking a 22-5 advantage.
The lead grew to 30-5 in the third.
Syd Alexander added 11 for the Crusaders.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dawson Camper had a monster game with 19 points and 25 rebounds, but Union fell to District 7 champion Imani Christian, 88-65, on Friday night.
Hayden Smith also scored 19 for the Golden Knights, who trailed by 14 in the third quarter, but could get no closer.
R.J. Sledge and Nate Brazil each scored 23 to lead Imani Christian.
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 85, MONESSEN 54
Wil Wortman erupted for 34 points as Elk County Catholic cruised to an 85-54 home win over Monessen in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs.
Colby Nussbaum added 14 points, Lance O’Neil 13 and Chase Simbeck 11 for the Crusaders.
CAMERON COUNTY 62, WILLIAMSBURG 47
Ryan Shaffer scored 22 points as the Red Raiders overcame a slow start to sprint away to a first-round PIAA Class A victory.
Cameron County trailed at the half, but outscored Williamsburg 38-19 over the final two quarters.
Josh Smith added 18 points for the Red Raiders.
BISHOP CARROLL 56, JOHNSONBURG 47
Isaiah Jackson scored 23 points, but the Rams were bounced from the Class A playoffs.
AVONWORTH 65, PUNXSUTAWNEY 43
Noah Weaver scored 11 points and Zach Presloid added 10 to lead the Chucks, who were eliminated from the Class 4A playoffs.
