JOHNSTOWN, PA – Scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter, the Port Allegany boy’s basketball team completed a season-saving comeback, upsetting Bishop McCourt to earn the school’s first-ever boy’s PIAA state tournament win.
Sneaking into the state bracket for the first time in 30 years with a win over Moniteau in the District 9 Class A consolation game, the Gators found themselves pitted against the Crushers, the runners up from District 6. Despite traveling over three hours to reach their first tournament stage, Port stepped off the bus ready to fight.
Through the first two quarters, they kept right in stride with Bishop McCourt, finding themselves only down by two after the first eight minutes and eventually knotting the game at 24 as they entered halftime. However, then the Crushers threw the first real punch. Connecting on four 3-pointers alongside a wave of offense, Bishop McCourt quickly pulled away in the third, outscoring the Gators 28-14. But Port kept the white flag tucked away.
Launching their own barrage of offense in the final quarter of play, the Gators began chipping away at the deficit. Led by Jarrod Funk’s 10 points in the quarter, Port grabbed a hold of the momentum and clung to it as they surged past the Crushers. Outscoring their opponents 29-12, Port kept their season alive in hostile territory.
Four Gators reached double-digit scoring figures through the win. Isac Amell ended with a team-high 19 points alongside 11 rebounds and four assists, while Funk finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Nick Wilfong tallied 13 points, eight assists and five rebounds, followed by Chase Boyd with 12 points and three steals.
Up next, Port advances to see Sewickley Academy, the champions out of the WPIAL, on Wednesday, March 11. The time and location of that second round matchup is yet to be announced.
AT JOHNSTOWN
Port Allegany (67)
Amell 8 3-10 19, Funk 6 4-7 17, Wilfong 6 0-0 13, Boyd 2 6-7 12, Hawver 3 0-0 6. Totals: 25 13-34 67
Bishop McCourt (64)
Forrest 8 3-4 22, Gellucci 6 3-4 15, Laughord 5 1-2 14, Koulachic 3 1-2 8, Dressick 1 0-0 3, Newcomer 0 2-2 2. Totals: 23 10-14 64
Port Allegany 13 24 38 67
Bishop McCourt 15 24 52 64
Three-point goals: PA (4) Boyd 2, Funk, Wilfong, BM (8) Forrest 3, Laughord 3, Dressick, Koulachic; Total fouls: PA 14, BM 21; Fouled out: Koulachic (BM).
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Saturday: Green Bay 13, St. Bonaventure 2 (5 innings)
Sunday: Game 1 — Northern Illinois 13, St. Bonaventure 2 (5 innings), Game 2 — Green Bay 12, St. Bonaventure 3 (5 innings)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — The St. Bonaventure softball team wrapped up play at the Boilermaker Classic with three five-inning losses.
Two of the losses came at the hands of Green Bay, which took the first and third of the three weekend games the Bonnies played by scores of 13-2 and 12-3, respectively.
Bona’s second game of the weekend was a 13-2 loss to Northern Illinois.
Over the course of the weekend, Sydney DeGram led Bona with four hits while Grace Miller tallied three. Lauren Dundon and Kendall Stull each finished the weekend with two RBI.
