Vincentian overwhelms Gators, 99-51
Rob Burchianti | TikTokłÉČË°ć
Geibel Catholic’s Ryan Anderson cuts between Vincentian Academy’s Angelo Reeves (24) and Alex Griggs (5) to score during Thursday night’s WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School. Anderson had a team-high 17 points but the Gators lost.
Rob Burchianti | TikTokłÉČË°ć
Vincentian Academy’s Trey Champine (right) defends Geibel Catholic’s Enzo Fetsko during Thursday night’s WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School. Fetsko scored 13 points in the Gators’ 99-51 loss.
Rob Burchianti | TikTokłÉČË°ć
Geibel Catholic’s Ryan Anderson (5) and Drew Howard (23) box out Vincentian Academy’s Angelo Reeves (24) and they vie for a rebound during Thursday night’s WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School.
Rob Burchianti | TikTokłÉČË°ć
Geibel Catholic’s Ryan Anderson (5) looks for an open teammate as Vincentian Academy’s Angelo Reeves (24) defends during Thursday night’s WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School.
Rob Burchianti | TikTokłÉČË°ć
Geibel Catholic’s Enzo Fetsko kicks the ball out to an open teammate after driving into the middle of Vincentian Academy’s defense during Thursday night’s WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School.
PETERS TWP. — Vincentian Academy is the top-seeded team in the WPIAL Class 1A boys basketball playoffs, but even that might not accurately convey how talented the Royals are.
At least that’s what Geibel Catholic coach Don Porter thinks after seeing the team close up.
“That’s a well-oiled machine there gentlemen,” Porter said after Vincentian dismantled his Gators, 99-51, in a quarterfinal playoff game at Peters Township High School on Thursday night.
Angelo Reeves tossed in a game-high 28 points, including three of the Royals’ four dunks, and Matt McDonough hit seven of his team’s 10 3-pointers in scoring 23 points as Vincentian (19-4) advanced to the semifinals where it will play fifth-seeded and defending champion Nazareth Prep on Monday at a site and time to be determined.
Nazareth Prep defeated the Royals in last year’s WPIAL final, 69-62, although if Vincentian plays like it did against Geibel there could be a different outcome in this season’s rematch.
“The length they bring on the court, the speed and just their skill is at a whole different level than I would say most teams in the whole WPIAL, regardless of the classification,” Porter said of the Royals.
Vincentian’s full-court press blindsided the Gators from the beginning. Reeves scored the game’s first four baskets and the Royals forced a turnover after each one.
“We looked on the film and their slides were a little bit different than what they did tonight, which is good coaching on their behalf,” Porter said. “That kind of set the tone right there.”
The Gators (15-9) fought back. A steal by Drew Howard led to a bucket by Enzo Fetsko to get Geibel on the board. Howard hit a driving shot and Fetsko made a 3-pointer to get his team within 10-7.
Reeves’ first dunk and two baskets by Ethan Embleton made it 16-7 before 3-pointers by Howard and Fetsko again sliced the gap to three at 16-13.
The Royals took off from there, scoring the final four points of the first quarter and the first 12 of the second in soaring to a 32-13 lead. The spurt included a steal and dunk by Ryan Priest, who finished with 17 points, and a lob dunk by Reeves.
Vincentian dominated play the rest of the way and led 49-22 at halftime and 80-40 after three quarters.
Ryan Anderson led Geibel with 17 points, Howard followed with 14 and Fetsko added 13. Each made a pair of 3-pointers.
Vincentian also got 10 points from Nate Cullo.
If the Royals reach the WPIAL final, they will drag Geibel into the PIAA tournament.
“It’s been a great season,” Porter said. “I’m proud of the kids. Hopefully, Vincentian can win the next game and then we can piggy-tail back into the state tournament and keep playing basketball which is what our goal is.”