Leopards find stride in 2nd quarter, down Trojans, 65-44
Jonathan Guth | 蘑菇视频
Belle Vernon蘑菇视频 Devin Whitlock passes to Mitchell Pohlot during Wednesday蘑菇视频 first-round WPIAL Class 4A playoff game against Derry Area at Fox Chapel Area High School. Whitlock scored 21 points and had three assists, while Pohlot scored 15 and had six rebounds in the Leopards鈥� 65-44 victory.
Jonathan Guth | 蘑菇视频
Belle Vernon蘑菇视频 Mitchell Pohlot drives to the basket against Derry Area蘑菇视频 Sam Jones in Wednesday蘑菇视频 WPIAL Class 4A playoff game at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon's Jared Hartman takes an outside shot against Derry Area on Wednesday in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon's Hunter Ruokonen puts up a shot in front of Derry Area's Sam Jones in Wednesday's WPIAL Class 4A playoff game at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon's Thomas Hepple is ready to make a move as Derry Area's Sam Jones watches the play develop during Wednesday's game in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon's Jake Haney is about to pass in Wednesday's WPIAL Class 4A playoff game against Derry Area at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon's Cam Nusser delivers a pass while being watched by Derry Area's Ryan Bushey during Wednesday's WPIAL Class 4A playoff game at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Jonathan Guth | 蘑菇视频
Belle Vernon蘑菇视频 Devin Whitlock puts up a jumper as Derry Area蘑菇视频 Ryan Bushey gets a hand up in a WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game at Fox Chapel Area High School on Feb. 19. Whitlock scored 21 points in the Leopards鈥� 65-44 victory. The sophomore, who helped lead Belle Vernon to the WPIAL final, is the 蘑菇视频 Boys Basketball Class 3A/4A Player of the Year.
FOX CHAPEL聽鈥� It took about a quarter and a half, but once Belle Vernon found its game, Derry Area蘑菇视频 chances of pulling off the upset faded in the Leopards鈥� 65-44 victory on Wednesday in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs at Fox Chapel Area High School.
Belle Vernon (17-6) plays third-seeded Quaker Valley (17-5) on Saturday at Plum High School in the quarterfinals. The tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
The Trojans (7-15) hung with the Leopards the first 12 minutes, and trailed 23-19 after Aidan Bushey made a shot from behind-the-arc for three of his game-high 22 points before Belle Vernon closed the first half on an 8-2 run for a 31-21 advantage at the break. BVA was playing its first game in 14 days.
鈥淚 was very pleased with the second quarter, and again, when you are off the amount of days we were, and so was Derry, you are a little bit hesitant of what you are supposed to be doing and not in sync,鈥� Belle Vernon coach Joe Salvino said. 鈥淚 think everything pulled together in the second quarter, and the second half took care of itself.
鈥淏ushey is a good player and he shot the ball very well in the first two quarters. Not so much in the third quarter. Defensively, we tried to deny him the ball constantly.鈥�
The Leopards opened up the second half on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 38-21 with 4:26 left in the third quarter. Devin Whitlock connected on a three-pointer, and Mitchell Pohlot and Hunter Ruokonen scored on back-to-back putbacks.
Belle Vernon had a 19-6 advantage in the period for a 50-27 lead heading into the fourth. Derry had a 17-15 edge in the final frame. The Leps had a 14-12 advantage after the first quarter.
Whitlock, a sophomore, scored a team-high 21 points on nine field goals (two 3-pointers) and was 1 of 3 at the foul line. He also dished out three assists and had three steals.
鈥淚t was really great to get my teammates involved tonight,鈥� Whitlock said. 鈥淲e look forward to our next game.鈥�
Whitlock wasn鈥檛 fazed by the playoff atmosphere, as he had postseason experience last year in helping Monessen to the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals.
鈥淚 come in to every game like it is just another game,鈥� Whitlock said. 鈥淚 come in with the same mentality, and that is to do anything I can do to get the W.鈥�
Whitlock scored a number of his baskets last season on layups, but has developed his jump shot, and connected on several outside shots.
鈥淚 have been in the gym a lot working on that jumper because I definitely needed it to transition to get better shots,鈥� Whitlock said. 鈥淚t is looking like it is working. I always try to be aggressive in whatever I鈥檓 doing, whether it蘑菇视频 driving, passing or playing defense.鈥�
Pohlot added 15 points on seven field goals and made a free throw for an and-one. He also pulled down six rebounds. Ruokonen chipped in with seven points on three field goals and was 1 of 2 at the line. He had six rebounds and two assists. Jared Hartman scored eight points on three field goals (1 three-pointer) and was 1 of 3 at the line. Hartman had a team-high nine rebounds.
鈥淭o be honest with you, I thought it was a total team effort,鈥� Salvino said. 鈥淛ared Hartman played well; Mitchell and Hunter Ruokonen did really well. Even our kids off the bench gave us some good minutes.鈥�
Belle Vernon蘑菇视频 Thomas Hepple put in seven points on three field goals and was 1 for 3 at the line. He also pulled down seven rebounds.
The Leopards had a scary moment when starter Cam Nusser went down with a left ankle injury in the second quarter.
鈥淗e is going to go get X-rays, so we will have to just wait and see,鈥� said Salvino when asked about Nusser蘑菇视频 prognosis.
The Trojans鈥� Ryan Bushey scored eight points on two field goals (one 3-pointer) and was 3 of 4 at the line.