Upper St. Clair advances to PIAA state semifinals
Robbins dunk in overtime keys win over McDowell
A dunk by Tyler Robbins with 1.2 seconds left in overtime catapulted Upper St. Clair (26-2) to victory, 51-49, over McDowell and into the PIAA semifinals in boys basketball for the second time in school history.
The Panthers will play Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic (24-5) on March 22 at a site and time to be determined. The Cahilllites defeated Coatesville, 52-42, in their quarterfinal contest.
After Kaamil Jackson blocked a McDowell shot, Juliam Dahlem gathered in the ball and initiated a fast break. He tossed the ball to Robbins, who dished off to Gianni Disora in the corner. Disora attempted to throw the ball across court to Niko Gidas but Robbins intercepted and rammed the game winner home.
“I saw Niko in the corner jumping up and down, said Gidas, who earned the game-winning assist. “He’s our best shooter so I know he’s going to knock it down but T-Rob came out of nowhere and slammed it down and we won.”
Robbins fired in 14 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked four shots in the victory. The Miami recruit accounted for all four of USC’s overtime points, including a put-back off an offensive rebound.
The Trojans, however, came back and tied the contest at 49-49 on a bucket by Blayze Myers, who finished with a team-high 17 points. Stephon Porter followed with 11 tallies.
Gidas led the Panthers with 17 markers. He buried five, 3-point field goals during the contest played Saturday at the Morrow Field House on the Slippery Rock University campus.
The McDowell defense gave the Panthers fits as they uncharacteristically turned the ball over often in the first frame. The Trojans bolted to a 15-6 advantage but the Panthers closed the gap by halftime, 21-21.
USC opened up its biggest margin, 40-33, by the start of the fourth quarter.
With 3:09 to play in the third quarter, Gidas ignited the rally with a 3-pointer, which was assisted by Disora after he stole the pass from the Trojans. Ryan Robbins tacked on two field goals and Gidas added a pair of free throws.
When Ryan Robbins picked up his fourth foul, McDowell made up the difference. The Trojans tied the contest, 45-45, on a tip-in by Leo Finazzo with under 2:30 left in the frame.
Tyler Robbins put the Panthers ahead, 47-45, but McDowell tied the game again on a layup by Porter with 1:06 remaining.
The Panthers last appeared in a state semifinal game in 2021. They lost in last year’s quarterfinals to Central York in overtime.
“This feels amazing,” said USC floor boss Dan Holzer. “We’re on a two-year run and the kids have been phenomenal. We were ranked No. 1 in the preseason and here we are going to the semifinals.”
Other action
In other quarterfinal action involving Almanac teams, South Fayette defeated Hollidaysburg, 70-52, while Peters Township beat Cathedral Prep, 35-25, to set up a rematch of the WPIAL 5A clash. The Lady Indians beat the Lady Lions, 40-36, in the district final back on March 1.
In the win against the Ramblers, Natalie Wetzel scored 14 points. Bri Morreale followed with seven tallies while Taylor McCullough and Alina Sopko each supplied five markers. Jordy Welsh and Daniela Radulovich completed the scoring for Peters Township, which improved to 25-3 overall.
(This story is being updated.)