Tiernan McCullough scored a game-high 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to help Our Lady of the Sacred Heart get back on track and defeat Clairton, 47-43, Wednesday night in the battle for third place in the WPIAL Class 2A boys basketball tournament at OLSH’s Angela Activities Center.
The victory came two days after the third-seeded Chargers saw their 16-game winning streak halted by No. 2 seed Sewickley Academy, 56-30, in the tournament semifinals.
Wednesday’s win boosted OLSH’s record to 21-5 going into the opening round of the PIAA Tournament, which will get underway Saturday, March 7, in the Class 2A bracket.
OLSH’s opponent has yet to be determined, but Chargers coach Mike Rodriguez said his team will open state tournament play at home in the Angela Activities Center.
Rodriguez said he’s looking forward to bringing his team to the PIAA tournament.
“It’s always a blessing,” he said after Wednesday’s win. “I never take it for granted because it’s so hard to get there.”
OLSH trailed by two at the end of one quarter but a 21-point second-quarter outburst helped the Chargers build a 29-23 lead at halftime.
Clairton rebounded to outscore OLSH 11-5 in the third quarter and the two teams entered the final eight minutes tied 34-34.
The Chargers got scoring contributions from six different players in that final quarter and held on for the win despite some turnovers down the stretch.
“It was a hard-fought game,” he said. “We tried to give it away several times at the end – Clairton was pressuring hard – but we managed to settle down.
“They’re incredibly athletic. It was just a physical basketball game. Both teams played hard defensively.”
Rodriguez said his team’s effort on the defensive end was “the highlight of our game.” He also applauded the Chargers’ ability to solve Clairton’s man-to-man and 2-2-1 zone presses, noting the work of guards Austin Avsec and Owen Minzer.
“They’re very quick,” he said of Clairton. “But our point guards handled their pressure throughout the game.”
Rodriguez also saluted the play of Nolan Reed, who came off the bench to score 12 points, including nine in the second quarter on three 3-pointers; McCullough, who contributed key scoring and rebounding; and Patrick Altmar, who scored just three points but blocked 10 shots.
Rodriguez said guard Frankie Igrec was under the weather but hit a big 3-pointer late in the game to help hold off the Bears. Jake Johnson also contributed seven key points and provided steady leadership, Rodriguez said.
“Everyone contributed,” he said. “It was just a great basketball game.”
Photos by Mike Longo Jr.
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