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High school boys basketball highlights: Imani Christian rallies for overtime win over Hempfield

High school boys basketball highlights: Imani Christian rallies for overtime win over Hempfield

Imani Christian (11-6, 9-2) overcame a scare from Hempfield (8-9, 3-7) to claim a 63-61 overtime win in Class 6A Section 2 play. Imani currently holds the second spot in Section 2, just one game shy of leader Upper St. Clair.

Hempfield got off to a hot start, outscoring Imani Christian 19-8 in the first quarter. However, Imani pulled back at halftime, entering the locker room down four points. Imani Christian forced overtime by outscoring Hempfield 11-6 in the fourth quarter.

Imani senior RJ Sledge scored 19 points to lead the Saints, with sophomore Kieshaun Demus adding 17 and sophomore Donovan Gordon scoring 12.

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Hempfield senior guard Drew Gordon put on an offensive clinic at home, leading the Spartans with 30 points.

Latrobe senior Luke Willochell advanced to the finals for the fourth time by pinning Burrell’s Jake Stewart at 1:01 in the 133-pound semifinals. Willochell is a three-time county champ. He will face Franklin Regional’s Chase Smith in the title match.
Ken Wunderley
High school boys WPIAL wrestling individual, team rankings

Other boys scores

In a battle for the fifth playoff spot in Class 6A Section 1, Pine-Richland (6-12, 4-7) closed the gap against North Hills (6-13, 5-6) to one game after a 65-58 overtime win at home. The Rams shut out North Hills in overtime, outscoring the Indians 7-0. Grant Spacciapolli and Alex Kastner each had 20-point games, with Spacciapolli’s 22 points leading the Rams. Kastner converted four 3-pointers. North Hills senior Zach Pollaro recorded 33 points.

• Gateway (10-7, 8-3) improved its Class 5A Section 1 record to 8-3, tying Latrobe, after a 56-30 win over Albert Gallatin (7-11, 2-9). Defense was on full display for the Gators, holding Albert Gallatin to six points apiece in the first, second and third quarters. Mykel Bruce-McCrommon recorded 26 points and provided five assists. JJ Jackson led the Colonials with 13 points.

• Despite a slow start Montour (16-1, 10-0) kept its hold on the top spot in Class 5A Section 4 — and perfect section record — with a 68-55 win against Mars Area (11-8, 5-4). The Fighting Planets took the lead at halftime, 31-23. Montour pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Mars 24-9, and put up 21 points in the fourth quarter. Ama Tening Sow led the Spartans with 22 points, while Colton Straight added 19 and Kaleb Platz picked up 17.

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• Avonworth (14-3, 6-1) suffered its first Class 4A Section 2 loss on Tuesday night, falling 59-56 to Quaker Valley (13-4, 4-3). Avonworth currently has a one-game lead against Central Valley and Beaver, who boast 5-2 section records. Quakers senior forward Dana Kromah led the charge with 22 points while freshman Nic Cohen added 13. Senior guard Rowan Carmichael led the Antelopes with 20 points.

• West Mifflin (6-12, 5-4) upset Derry Area (10-8, 7-3), 72-63, increasing the Titans’ odds at a Class 4A Section 3 playoff spot. Senior guard Daven Reynolds led West Mifflin with 28 points, with junior Jose Perez adding 12 and freshman Julian Dewberry shooting for 10. Almost half of Derry Area’s points were scored by Braydon Robinson, who led the Trojans with 31.

• In a battle for second-place seeding in Class 3A Section 1, Mohawk (14-4, 7-1) defeated Ellwood City (12-6, 7-2) 61-44 to fill the slot. Bobby Fadden led the Warriors with 25 points, while Drew Wrona went for 16. Wrona converted four 3-pointers. The Wolverines were led by Kaleb Servick, who scored 12 points.

• Shady Side Academy (5-12, 3-4) earned an upset victory against South Park (12-5, 5-2) on Tuesday night on the road, 55-54. The Bulldogs had four players score 10 or more points: Seamus Riordan (14), Brad Manser (12), Paul Benec (11) and Mark Bence (10). South Park junior Luke Scarff led the Eagles with 20 points.

Seneca Valley senior Maddee Fischer (left) is ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL at 130 pounds with a 20-5 record.
Ken Wunderley
High school girls WPIAL wrestling individual, team rankings

• Southmoreland (14-4, 7-0) avoided a scare from Ligonier Valley (9-8, 3-3) to remain perfect in Class 3A Section 4 play, claiming a 77-70 victory. The Scotties outscored the Rams in the first three quarters. However, Ligonier Valley mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring Southmoreland 29-16. Brady Sherbondy led the Scotties with 21 points while Noah Felentzer added 16 and Stanley Chapman went for 16. Ligonier Valley was propelled by Mike Wisniewski, who scored 25.

• Chartiers-Houston (15-2, 9-1) may lead Class 2A Section 3 with a healthy margin, but the battle remains for the second-place spot. West Greene (10-7, 8-3) and Jefferson-Morgan (12-6, 8-3) both sit with 8-3 section records after West Greene’s 45-39 victory. Pioneers senior point guard Lane Allison scored 18 points to lead the home side.

Star of the night

Isaiah Jeter became the first player in Central Valley (15-3, 5-2) boys basketball history to score his 1,000th career point. The Warriors defeated Ambridge (4-12, 0-6), 60-44, with the senior’s 22 points leading the home side. Jeter scored his 1,000th point in the second quarter on a layup.

First Published: January 29, 2025, 4:25 a.m.
Updated: January 29, 2025, 4:40 a.m.

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Sewickley Academy celebrate a three pointer against Winchester Thurtston in a Class 2A section 2 boys basketball game at Winchester Thurston High School on Friday Jan. 24, 2025.
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