Peabody, favored to win a fifth consecutive City League championship, opened the season with an impressive victory. The Highlanders defeated West Mifflin, 59-51, last night in the Central Catholic tournament.
Dan Davis hit five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points for Peabody, which is No. 1 in the Post-Gazette’s City League rankings. Guard Justin Mullen added 14 points.
Tony DiCenzo scored 16 points for West Mifflin, including four 3-pointers. Kevin Garner had 12 points.
In the other game of this round-robin tournament, Central Catholic raced to a 45-20 halftime lead and coasted past Schenley, 77-63. Ross Watson had 17 points, and Ryan Kennedy and Daniel Waajid 15 each for the Vikings.
Other tournaments
Plum: The host Mustangs, No. 1 in Class AAAA, took a 13-0 lead after one quarter and sprinted past Greensburg Salem, 57-30. Guards John Koch, 16 points, and Bobby Franklin, 15, led the Mustangs. In the other game, Penn Hills had a great Knight, rolling past Westinghouse, 72-37. Devon Knight had 20 points and brother Byron 17 for the Indians
Bethel Park: A.J. Jackson scored 37 points, leading Monessen to a 57-49 victory against McKeesport. The Greyhounds, No. 1 in Class A, raced to a 38-12 halftime advantage, but their Class AAAA foe rallied, outscoring them 37-19 the rest of the way. Bethel Park used a balanced scoring effort to defeat Oliver, 59-50. Zach Henrickson had 14 points and Greg Wojdowski and Brett Dixon 12 each for the Black Hawks. Gilmore Cummings scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers, and David Robinson had 18 points for Oliver.
Sto-Rox: The host Vikings, No. 1 in Class AA, broke open a close game in the second quarter en route to a 58-42 victory against West Allegheny. Davon Huger had 19 points, Terrence White 15 and John Geiger 11 for Sto-Rox, which outscored the Indians, 20-9, in the second quarter for a 37-22 halftime bulge. Tyler Roche had 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and Zac Northen 14 points for West Allegheny. Jerry Harness scored 20 points to lead a balanced attack, as Chartiers Valley slammed Carlynton, 78-42, in the first game.
Upper St. Clair: The host Panthers raced to a 28-8 lead after one quarter and hammered Belle Vernon, 95-51. Dale Meinbresse led a balanced Upper St. Clair attack with 26 points. Sean Lee and Andrew Atman had 15 points each for the Panthers, No. 2 in Class AAAA. Matt Cyktor led Belle Vernon with 14.
Fox Chapel: Ryan Hauck hit six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 29 points, as Hampton blitzed Vincentian, 80-40. Jeff Kinder added 22 points for the Talbots.
Midland: Ryan Evanochko scored 20 points and Marc Lodovico 19, as Blackhawk -- No. 1 in Class AAA -- raced past Canon-McMillan, 68-38. Blackhawk led, 33-16, at halftime.
Jeannette: In a matchup of ranked teams, Steel Valley started fast and rolled past Geibel, 70-47. Mickey Pesanka scored 20 points for Steel Valley, the defending WPIAL Class AAA champions and currently ranked No. 4. Brandon Reagan added 17 points for the Ironmen. Robert Ramsey scored 17 for Geibel, No. 3 in Class A. Ste’von Daye scored 16 points and Mike Dent 14 as host Jeannette defeated Southmoreland, 76-43. Troy Rollinson scored 21 points for Southmoreland.
Ambridge: James McClinton scored 16 points and Brian Vason and Chris Williams 14 apiece, as Woodland Hills held off Butler, 56-53. Robert Freshwater scored 19 points and Joel Rehm 16 for the Golden Tornado. Host Ambridge raced to a 36-20 halftime bulge and coasted to a 71-49 victory against Greater Works Academy. Shawn Besong and Josh Parisi scored 14 points each for the Bridgers. Greater Works was led by Jon Young with 16 points.
Pine-Richland: Gateway converted 10 of 14 free throws in overtime for a 48-42 upset of Hempfield, the No. 4 team in Class AAAA. Nick Davis scored 15 points and Derek Bauer 11 for Gateway.
Grove City: Duane Campo and his Moon teammates had a tough first quarter; Campo didn’t score and the Tigers trailed, 17-11. Then Campo scored 22 points the rest of the way, and Moon rallied for a 58-48 victory against Highlands, which is No. 5 in Class AAA. Clark Witucki scored 17 points for the Golden Rams, who led, 26-24, at halftime.
Riverside: Brent Colbert hit a running one-hander from the free-throw line at the buzzer to give Western Beaver a 58-57 victory against Freedom. Colbert scored a game-high 22 points. David Russell scored 15 points, Shane Shrum 14 and Ryan Morgan 13 for Freedom, which rallied from an eight-point deficit after three quarters.
Wilkinsburg: Chris Cox (28) and Mike Fratangelo (23) combined for 51 points as the host Tigers beat Summit Academy, 91-71. Will Harper added 14 points for Wilkinsburg, No. 4 in Class AA.
Other games
Uniontown 61, Allderdice 60: Junior Mayes converted a free throw with 7.5 seconds remaining, giving the defending WPIAL Class AAAA champs a non-section victory at home. Mayes scored a game-high 19 points. Amir Johnson paced Allderdice with 12.
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