Leopards advance in playoffs with 65-60 win
The Belle Vernon boys grabbed the early lead and then held off a charge by Clearfield over the final three quarters to open the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs Friday night at St. Marys High School with a 65-60 victory.
The Leopards (20-7) advance to the second round of the state playoffs against Lancaster Catholic (24-3) on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined. The District 3 champions edged Ringgold, 59-56.
Belle Vernon pulled out to a 25-10 lead in the first quarter, the only quarter won by the Leopards.
Clearfield pulled to 39-28 at halftime. The Bison continued to close the gap, outscoring the Leopards in the third quarter, 13-9, for a 48-41 score.
Clearfield held a slight 19-17 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Devin Whitlock led the way for the Leopards with 15 points and 11 assists. Thomas Hepple had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jake Haney scored 12 points, all on 3-pointers, and had three steals. Daniel Gordon was also in double figures with 10 points.
Mitchell Pohlot had a solid game under the basket for Belle Vernon with nine points and six rebounds.
Clearfield’s Kauson Romsky scored a game-high 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Cade Walker added 18.
Neither team shot particularly well from the foul line with the Leopards making 8-of 21 and Clearfield converting 9-of-14.