The first half was exactly what Central Valley wanted. The Warriors knew they couldn’t win a shootout with Avonworth, who came in scoring 75 points per game, so they wanted to create chaos, force turnovers and keep the Antelopes out of transition.

Central Valley led 21-20 at halftime. Then the good Warrior vibes evaporated with the speed of a Rowan Carmichael fastbreak.

Avonworth closed the third quarter on a 15-1 run to beat Central Valley 56-42 and take a big leap towards the Class 4A Section 2 title. The Antelopes (15-3, 7-1) outscored Central Valley 23-8 in the period by taking advantage of several turnovers and getting into transition. Carmichael, a senior guard and the WPIAL’s leading scorer, had 11 points in the third quarter and 26 overall.

The loss likely knocks Central Valley (15-4, 5-3) out of the section race.

Postgame, it was clear it hurt Warriors coach Brandon Ambrose more than the average defeat.

“We’ve just got to get better,” Ambrose said. “We’ve got to learn from it. Just learn how to execute in critical situations and keep working to get some stops and stay out of foul trouble. … We’re a good group of kids though. We believe. And I know that they will get through this one and be better next time.”

Game flow

There was a big game feel walking in — and it looked like both teams felt it.

The game was televised and broadcast on the radio. Avonworth was coming off a loss. It was Friday night hoops — and while the section title wasn’t quite on the line, both teams realistically needed it if they wanted to win the section crown.

“If you don't get up for that game, probably check your pulse or something,” Avonworth coach Joe Frank said.

Central Valley defended intensely early, forcing 10 Avonworth turnovers in the first half. It’s risky to press against a player as quick and prolific as Carmichael, but the Warriors held him to eight points in the half on 3-of-9 shooting.

“We want to play fast, but we don't want to play the way that they made us play [early],” Carmichael said. “They try to force you to make turnovers in the half court. We don't want to do that. We want to get out in transition and use the full court. If we defend and rebound, like Coach always says, we get out in transition and that’s when we’re at our best.”

Yet the Warriors were having similar offensive struggles. They had seven turnovers and shot 9-of-23 (39%) from the field, only slightly better than the Antelopes’ 7-for-22 (32%). Their star Isaiah Jeter missed his first six shots, though he did briefly silence the Avonworth student section with consecutive threes in the second quarter.

But Avonworth seemed to calm down in the third quarter, while Central Valley continued its frenetic pace. Ambrose said the Warriors turned the ball over on five of their first six possessions of the second half, finally giving Avonworth the chance to spring Carmichael in transition and rack up easy points.

“We just gave them layups,” Ambrose said. “Can't give them layups. [If] you give them 23 points in the second half, you’re going to lose the game.”

The Antelopes were cold from three, but junior forward Thomas Werner picked the right time for his two. His threes, plus plenty of layups and free throws from Carmichael and senior forward Noah Goetz, keyed the 15-1 run and a scoring outburst Central Valley couldn’t match.

Avonworth kept a double digit lead for the entire fourth quarter, though Jeter did hit three threes to threaten a comeback. Jeter finished with 22 points, but no other Warrior had more than eight. The Warriors struggled with foul trouble in a very physical game.

Goetz finished with 13 points. Senior forward Noah Quinn added 8.

Key stat

Avonworth finished 19-of-49 (39%), including an uncharacteristic 4-of-20 (20%) from 3-point range. Central Valley was 17-of-46 (37%), making 7-of-19 (37%) from beyond the arc. But the Warriors made just one of their six free-throw attempts, while Avonworth went 14-of-17.

Quotable

“It’s unbelievable. He's playing at such a high level, but that's a result of hard work and dedication — not just this year, but for the last 16 years of his life. He's been training for this all his life. He's probably the most in-shape guy. He's the most skilled guy. He's probably the most competitive guy. So you mix all that together, it's kind of nice to have that guy on your side” - Frank, on Carmichael

What it means

The matchup turned a three-team race for the section title into, in all likelihood, a two-team race. Avonworth, despite losing to Quaker Valley on Tuesday, can clinch at least a share of the section title with a win at Ambridge (4-13, 0-7) next Tuesday. Beaver (16-4, 6-2), which beat Ambridge Friday, will host Quaker Valley next Tuesday before playing at Avonworth Friday in the section finale. If Beaver wins both games and Avonworth beats Ambridge, Beaver and Avonworth will share the section title.

Central Valley would need two wins, two Avonworth losses, and for Quaker Valley to beat Beaver for a three-way section tie. If it were to happen, Avonworth, Beaver and Central Valley would have a three-way section tie in both football and boys basketball.

Carmichael wants the section title, but that’s not all.

“That's our first goal, but we also want more,” Carmichael said. “We want a section title, a WPIAL championship and a state championship.”

First Published: February 1, 2025, 4:29 a.m.
Updated: February 1, 2025, 4:35 a.m.