Norwin tops North Allegheny; other girls basketball results Thursday
Written by: Westmoreland Sports Network
January 02, 2020
Tags: Olivia Gribble Jayla Wehner Brianna Zajicek Sarah Liberatore McKenzie Powell Maura Suman Rachel Ridilla Abby Mankins Kylie Smith Gracie Spadaro Delaynie Morvosh Jenna Dawson Rachel Wobrak Laney Gerdich Jada Bass Arianna Clark
Jayla Wehner, Olivia Gribble and Savannah Schneck helped lead Norwin to a key victory against North Allegheny.
Westmoreland County girls basketball section results from Thursday, January 2nd 2020:
GIRLS
Norwin 63 North Allegheny 55 WATCH BROADCAST
>> Norwin got up early then fended off a late rally by North Allegheny in a key 63-55 victory in Section 1-6A play. The Knights connected on 11 3-pointers, helping them jump out to a 21-16 lead after one and 40-30 advantage at halftime. The Tigers kept chipping away in the second half and actually Norwin's lead cut down to just three points with a minute to play. But the Knights were able to hit key free throws to preserve the victory. Olivia Gribble scored 16 points to lead Norwin (7-2, 4-0). Jayla Wehner finished with 13 points and Brianna Zajicek tossed in 10. The Knights now have sole possession of first place in the section. The victory avenges a 37-36 loss to NA in the WPIAL semifinals last season.
Upper St. Clair 56 Hempfield 32
>> Hempfield trailed by just five points after the first quarter but went cold in the second quarter in a 56-32 loss at Upper St. Clair in Section 2-6A play. The Spartans were behind 18-13 at the end of the first quarter but allowed the Panthers to hold a 12-2 edge in scoring in the second quarter and trailed 30-15 at the halftime break. Sarah Liberatore tallied 10 points to lead Hempfield (4-4, 1-3).
Oakland Catholic 43 Penn-Trafford 42
>> Penn-Trafford led by nine points at halftime but Oakland Catholic used a second half comeback to clip the Warriors 43-42 in a Section 3-5A contest. The Warriors held a 23-14 advantage at the break but the Eagles outscored Penn-Trafford 29-19 in the second half. McKenzie Powell scored 14 points and Maura Suman finished with 11 for the Warriors (6-3, 2-2).
Mars 52 Franklin Regional 32
>> Franklin Regional fell behind early to Mars, 18-7 after the first quarter, and dropped a Section 2-5A match up to the Fighting Planets 52-32. Bella Pelaia scored her 1,000th career point in the game for Mars. The Panthers fall to 2-7, 0-3.
Latrobe 68 Laurel Highlands 4
>> Laurel Highlands managed to score just four points against Latrobe in the Wildcats 68-4 win in Section 3-5A. Rachel Ridilla's 13 points led Latrobe (4-5, 1-3) to its first section victory of the season.
Greensburg Salem 65 Highlands 30
>> Abby Mankins turned in a huge game as Greensburg Salem doubled up Highlands 65-30 in a Class 1-4A match up. Mankins recorded 23 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in the victory. Kylie Smith chipped in 10 points for the Golden Lions (4-6, 2-2) who outscored the Mustangs in every quarter.
McKeesport 58 Mt. Pleasant 24
>> Mt. Pleasant fell behind 22-5 after one quarter of play and would end up dropping a Section 3-4A game to McKeesport 58-24. The Vikings are now 1-8, 1-3.
Southmoreland 48 Ringgold 26
>> Southmoreland reached double-figures in each quarter and used stifling defense en route to a 48-26 Section 3 4-A victory over Ringgold. Gracie Spadaro's 16 points topped the Scotties (10-0, 4-0) while teammate Delaynie Morvosh put in 14.
Belle Vernon 68 Yough 32
>> Jenna Dawson scored 19 points and Rachel Wobrak added 17 to lead Belle Vernon (7-2, 3-1) to a 68-32 victory over Yough in Section 2-4A action. Laney Gerdich ended with 13 points to lead the Cougars (3-8, 0-4).
Brentwood 63 Jeannette 41
>> Jeannette fell victim to a big second quarter by Brentwood in a 63-41 loss to the Spartans in Section 2-2A. The Jayhawks (2-8, 0-3) were down 14-9 after one but were outscored 21-8 in the second quarter. Jada Bass came in with 11 points to lead Jeannette with Arianna Clark putting in 10.