Top-seeded Highlands defeats Rams, 80-57
PITTSBURGH — Ringgold boys basketball coach Phil Pergola knew his team was in for a tough task Saturday with his team playing Highlands, the top-ranked team in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs.
The Rams found out first-hand just how good Highlands was Saturday afternoon with an 80-57 loss in the quarterfinals at North Hills High School.
“They are the best team I have seen this year,” said Pergola, who has won 640 games in his 50 years as a head coach. “(Korry Myers) killed us in the first half and they were a step ahead of us.
“This was also the worst we shot all year.”
Highlands, which is 18-1 with four days rest over the last three years, came out fast in its first game in 16 days.
“We practiced hard all week,” said Highlands coach Tyler Stoczynski. “Different teams have different philosophies on how they want to get ready for the playoffs.
“We just came out with unbelievable energy. Everyone was scoring, everyone was rebounding and everyone was doing their part.”
Myers, a senior, hit four of his seven 3-pointers in the first half and finished with a game-high 25 points.
Down 3-0 early, Highlands (20-3) closed the first quarter on a 16-2 run for a 16-5 lead.
“I told the guys that the first run is the most important, and Highlands went on the first run,” Pergola said.
The Golden Rams led 32-10 halfway through the second quarter. Ringgold (14-10) began to chip away at the Highlands lead through the remainder of the half, but the Rams still trailed 42-26 at halftime.
That would be the closest the score would be the rest of the way as Highlands led by as many as 26 in the fourth quarter.
Luke Cochran (22), Johnny Crise (11) and Jimmy Kunst (11) joined Myers in double figures for Highlands.
Crise, a 6-7 senior who will be a preferred walk-on tight end at Penn State in the fall, added eight rebounds, four blocks and scored six of his points on three dunks, including one on an alley-oop.
Demetrius Butler led Ringgold with 20 points. Chris Peccon added 12, while Luke Wyvratt finished with 10 rebounds.
Pergola spoke about his four seniors.
“They have played together since the eighth grade,” he said. “They have come to work every day and I would think, in the last two years, barring injury, they haven’t missed five practices.”
However, the season may not be over for the Rams.
Ringgold now goes from playing Highlands to being its biggest fans. If Highlands wins the WPIAL title, Ringgold qualifies for the PIAA tournament for a second year in a row.
“This thing isn’t over yet,” Pergolas said. “If Highlands wins, we (make the states).
“We will bounce back and be ready to play if we get the chance.”