Bill Babe scored 25 points and Geoff Kestler added 23 to lead Mt. Lebanon to a 63-48 win at North Allegheny.
The Blue Devils (2-1), the Post-Gazette's No. 3-ranked team in Class AAAA, took control early. Mt. Lebanon scored 27 points in the first quarter and never looked back in their first road game this season.
Kestler, a 6-3 junior guard, and Babe, a 5-11 senior guard, each had four 3-pointers.
The Tigers (1-1) got 15 points from E.J. Koufyer, 12 from Tim Couch and 11 from Andy Krewatch.
Other top boys' games
Uniontown won a shootout against host Latrobe, 86-75. The Red Raiders (3-0), who had four scorers in double digits, were led by Junior Mays' 31 points. Eric Muesseler's 23 points paced Latrobe (0-2).
Central Catholic (3-0) scored 30 points in the fourth quarter in a 63-44 pasting of Butler. DeMarcus Simmons' 13 points paced the Vikings' balanced attack. Bobby Freshwater had 13 points for the host Golden Tornado (1-2).
Pine-Richland bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 67-55 win against visiting Hampton. Kyle Opitz scored 14 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter for the Rams (3-1), who outscored the Talbots, 23-16, in the fourth quarter. Zach Ingoldsby had 16 points to lead Hampton (2-1).
Sewickley Academy, No. 1 in Class A, won, 55-45, at Avonworth for its first victory of the season. Corey Deithorn had 19 points for the Panthers (1-2). Dante Wilson had 16 points -- including 13 in the second half -- for Avonworth (1-2).
Yough's Ben McCauley had 14 of his 22 points in the second half to pace the Cougars (2-1) to a 54-47 win at Deer Lakes. The Lancers (2-1) got 14 points from Nick Bonazza.
In a clash of two top City League teams, Peabody defeated Allderdice, 67-64, in overtime. Gavin Turner had 33 points for the No. 1 Highlanders (3-0), who let a five-point fourth quarter lead slip away. Eugene Harris had 22 points to lead the Dragons (2-1).
Upset
Bobby Nelson scored the winning basket with 12 seconds left to lead Wilkinsburg to a 55-54 victory against Class A No. 3 Duquesne. The Tigers (2-1) led by 10 at the end of three quarters, but the Dukes (0-1) went on a 20-9 run to temporarily take the lead.
Hot shots
Players with four or more 3-pointers: Mike McKee, Plum, 8; Jared Lapkowicz, Carmichaels, 6; John Geiger, Sto-Rox, 5; Eugene Harris, Allderdice, 5; Zack Kostorick, North Catholic, 5; Tim Meyers, Steel Valley, 4; Kraig Walker, Kittanning, 4; Bill Babe, Mt. Lebanon, 4; Geoff Kestler, Mt. Lebanon, 4; Andrew DiDonato, South Fayette, 4; Frank Emmerling, St. Joseph, 4; Dave Powers, Quaker Valley, 4;
Stars of the night
Plum junior Mike McKee had five 3-pointers in the first half and finished the game with eight, scoring 32 points in the Mustangs' 63-49 win against Franklin Regional.
Jason Scott had 25 points in leading McGuffey to a 64-61 win at South Fayette. The Highlanders (2-1) used a 21-point third quarter to pull away from the Lions, who were led by Martin Yater's 17 points.
South Side Beaver senior guard Rich Kalinoski had 27 points in his team's 66-61 win against host Rochester (0-3).
Top girls' games
In a clash of two of the top teams in the Post-Gazette's Class AAAA rankings, No. 3 Hempfield beat No. 1 Oakland Cathlic, 41-37. Shannon Wanichko had 15 second-half points as the host Spartans (3-0) overcame an eight-point deficit. Brianne O'Rourke had 11 points for the Eagles (2-1).
Host West Mifflin held off Thomas Jefferson, 51-48. Junior Brittney Wilson had 18 points and Lauren Krivijanski 13 points and 10 rebounds for Titans (2-1). Nicole Presto and Ashleigh Hays each had 14 points for the Jaguars (1-2).
In a battle of unbeatens, New Castle won at Beaver, 57-47. The Red Hurricanes (4-0) were led by Jaleese Sams' 13 points. Lisa Lampone had 17 points for the Bobcats (2-1).
Trinity Christian got double-figure scoring from three players in a 64-53 win against host Greater Works Academy. The Falcons (3-1) got 19 points from Kelley Crawford, 15 from Julie Verhill and 12 from Kristen Van Sickel. Marley Nameth had 25 points for the losing Eagles (0-4).
Girls' hot shots
Players with four or more 3-pointers: Aly Cohen, Allderdice, 6; Brittney Wilson, West Miflin, 5; Suqeena Humphries, New Brighton, 4; Marley Nameth, Greater Works Academy, 4; Jodi Geisel, Hickory, 4; Elise Crummie, Riverview, 4.
First Published: December 3, 2003, 5:00 a.m.