South Fayette
Record: 20-5
Section: 3-AA (Second, 12-2)
Probable starters, scoring averages: G Tyler Henry (Sr., 6-0, 12.0 ppg), G Pat Zedreck (Jr., 6-0, 13.5), G Josh Patterson (Jr., 6-0, 5.1), F Mike Lamberti (Jr., 6-5, 14.7), C Mike Burroughs (Sr., 6-5, 10.2).
WPIAL playoffs: Beat Laurel, 62-30; best Beaver Falls, 54-36; lost to North Catholic, 57-41.
PIAA playoffs: Beat Cambria Heights (District 6), 77-37.
Key victories: Greensburg Central Catholic (by 17), Washington (by 35), Allderdice (by 9), North Catholic (by 6 in OT).
Bad loss: Brentwood (by 5).
Bits and pieces: South Fayette is in the PIAA playoffs for the third consecutive year with Lamberti, Zedreck and Burroughs as starters all three years. … The Lions have won five of the past six games against Washington, including a 49-42 victory in the 2009 WPIAL quarterfinals. … A win puts South Fayette in the Class AA quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. … Junior forward Christian Brumbaugh could start in place of Patterson.
Washington
Record: 19-5
Section: 5-AA (First, 13-1)
Probable starters, scoring averages: G Marquis Brown (Sr., 6-0, 14.5), G Julien Anderson (Jr., 6-1) F Troy Wilson (Sr., 6-5, 14.1), F Zach Barnes (Jr., 6-1, 4.7), C Bryan Thomas (Sr., 6-4, 8.5).
WPIAL playoffs: Beat Freeport, 50-47 (in overtime); lost to North Catholic, 54-49.
PIAA playoffs: Beat Brookville (District 9), 57-34.
Key victories: Monessen (twice by 16 and 19), Lincoln Park (by 16), Freeport (by 3).
Bad loss: South Fayette (by 35).
Bits and pieces: Of the seven WPIAL teams remaining in the Class AA playoffs, none allow fewer points per game than the Prexies at 47.0. … Washington has won five of its past six PIAA playoff games dating back to last year's run to the semifinals. … Wilson and Barnes will start their seventh career state playoff game. … The Prexies played without Wilson and J Jay Paskert in the first meeting this year against South Fayette.
Keys to game
(Wednesday at Chartiers Valley, 6 p.m.)
South Fayette
1. Defensive rebounding
No team in the Western side of the Class AA bracket gets more points on putbacks or additional offensive possessions than Washington.
2. Avoid foul trouble
When South Fayette struggles, it's often because Burroughs or Lamberti or both are in foul trouble.
3. The dribble drive
In the regular season meeting, South Fayette attacked the basket. It created easy layups and open jumpers.
Washington
1. Share the ball
Washington works best when it doesn't get caught up in taking quick, contested jump shots. Getting Wilson touches is essential.
2. Avoid the lull
The Prexies are prone to occasional offensive lulls. It happened in the third quarter against Brookville. (Granted, the outcome was not in doubt at the time). This kind of goes back to the first key.
3. Pester, pester, pester
Washington knows how to rattle an opponent, particularly on the big stages. Getting South Fayette out of its game would be a successful strategy.
1 comment:
Well the keys to Wash Hi winning is first playing team defense with Wilson back that will help a lot. On the offensive side with Wilson back Marquis Browns game gets to open up. He is the key factor in winning this game as was all the rest of Wash Hi games previously played. Getting Wilson touches is okay but the offense when running through Brown is the major key.
People tend to underestimate Brown's game and for one I see that Washington's success was due to Brown's improvement. Take him away from the SF game and you lose by 50 pts. That's the type of player he is and he doesn't need the hype of college coaches or newspaper articles he leads by example.
Was he ever named player of the Week? Just curious.
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