Westmoreland County high school basketball section recaps from Tuesday, January 16th 2023:

Norwin 47 Hempfield Area 46   WATCH BROADCAST

Hempfield Area missed a pair of free throws with just seconds remaining in the game and Norwin held on for a 47-46 Section 2-6A victory. Caden Biondi was fouled with only 3.1 seconds left in regulation as he drove in from the left side. His first foul shot was short and following a Knights timeout Biondi's second shot also found the front of the iron as time expired. Missed free throws affected both teams in the fourth quarter as Norwin went 4-for-12 from the stripe and Hempfield 8-for-15. The Knights held a 25-16 lead at halftime before the Spartans run in the second half. Ryan Edwards scored 10 points to lead Norwin (8-5, 2-3) while Harry Sowers had 17 points and Biondi 10 points for Hempfield Area (5-9, 1-4).

**McKeesport 59 Franklin Regional 53 OT **

For the second straight game Franklin Regional came up on the short end of a contest that went down to the wire, losing in overtime to visiting McKeesport 59-53 in Section 3-5A play. The Panthers built up a 27-18 lead at halftime only to watch the Tigers go on a 20-9 run in the third to take a 38-36 lead after three quarters. With the game tied at 51-51 at the end of regulation, McKeesport held an 8-2 scoring edge in the extra frame to put it away. Dunny Rowe carried the Tigers (5-8, 3-2), scoring a game-high 26 points in the win. Cam Rowell finished with 17 points and Fin Hutchison added 10 for the Panthers (9-5, 3-2) who lost to Gateway on Friday by only two points.

Gateway 85 Greater Latrobe 70

Gateway built up a 25-15 lead after one quarter and went on to beat Greater Latrobe in a high-scoring affair 85-70 in Section 3-5A play. A total of nine players reached double-figures in the game with Greater Latrobe's John Wetzel and Gateway's Tra Williams both tallying 18 points. Landon Butler posted 16 points for the Wildcats (5-8, 1-4) while Max Butler scored 14 and Ja'Tawn Williams put in 10. The Gators (10-3, 5-0) are in sole possession of first place.

Kiski Area 62 Penn-Trafford 45

Kiski Area outscored Penn-Trafford in every quarter in a 62-45 Section 3-5A victory. Isaiah Gonzalez and Noah Thimons both racked up 16 points for the Cavaliers (8-8, 3-2). Jason Sabol collected 14 points to lead the Warriors (3-12, 0-5) with Tyler Freas adding 11.

Hampton 74 Greensburg Salem 17

Greensburg Salem struggled against first place Hampton, falling 74-17 in a Section 1-4A match up. Rashad Canady had nine points to lead the Golden Lions (4-10, 0-4). Liam Mignogna's 16 points topped the Talbots (12-2, 5-0).

Southmoreland 90 Albert Gallatin 66

Belle Vernon 78 Elizabeth Forward 54

Greensburg Central Catholic 62 Winchester Thurston 41

Greensburg Central Catholic exploded for 23 points in the first quarter en route to a 62-41 triumph over visiting Winchester Thurston in a Section 3-2A contest. A trio of players finished in double figures for the Centurions (13-2, 6-0) with Mya Morgan's 19 points leading the way. Erica Gribble added 18 for GCC and Avery Davis scored 10. Sky Still was the leading scorer for the Bears (6-6, 3-2) finishing with 14.

Leechburg 45 Jeannette 28

Jeannette squandered a first quarter lead in a 45-28 loss at Leechburg in a Section 3-1A match up. The Jayhawks were ahead 14-4 after one but were outscored the rest of the way. Venicia Vignoli registered 11 points for Jeannette (1-13, 1-3) while Adalyn Zanotto racked up 20 points for the Blue Devils (4-9, 2-2).

Armstrong 56 Franklin Regional 28

Franklin Regional dropped a non-section contest at Armstrong 56-28. Sarah Penrod finished with nine points for the Panthers (5-8, 4-2) who trailed 26-20 at halftime. Emma Paul's 22 points paced the Riverhawks (12-2, 4-2).