Connect with us

BasketBall

Tasso Sfanos’ Emphatic Buzzer Beater As Mars Upends North Hills in Thriller

Published

1 month ago

on


The highlight was set on among the best WPIAL boys basketball gamers in Royce Parham and the North Hills Indians, however it was Tasso Sfanos and the Mars Fightin’ Planets that stole the present in a key part matchup.

With 4.2 seconds left within the recreation, Royce Parham was discovered on their lonesome with house as he slammed it right down to put North Hills up by two factors.

Moments later after a Mars timeout, the Fightin’ Planets put the ball into the fingers of their star participant. Almost lined on three sides, Sfanos bought off a spinning shot proper past the arc to knock down an emphatic buzzer beat for the 73-72 dwelling victory.

Popping out of the Mars timeout, head coach Rob Carmody’s recreation plan was easy: create house and provides Sfanos the ball.

“I inform the fellows on a regular basis, my job is to search out house for you,” Carmody mentioned. “Your job as a participant is to take the house we create and use your talent to do it. In that state of affairs, it’s a no brainer for us. We’re going to create house and get Tasso the ball.”

From there, it was all about executing for Sfanos, who was almost automated on the night.

“I’d been feeling all of it night time, so I bought to my spot, rose up and as quickly because it left my hand, I knew it was moving into,” Sfanos mentioned on his game-winning shot.

The one-point victory got here in entrance of a packed home with dueling scholar sections. The vitality was by the roof your entire night time.

“It was a type of nice Friday night time basketball video games,” Carmody mentioned. “If you happen to paid $5 to get in right here, you noticed two groups that stored throwing physique blows at one another. From a fan’s perspective, you virtually wished that shot despatched it into additional time as a result of the sport was performed at a excessive stage.”

Sfanos’ buzzer-beater was only a small piece of a large night time for the senior as he posted a career-high 40 factors within the win.

“It’s surreal, particularly with the house crowd being there and everybody supporting,” Sfanos mentioned. “A giant shoutout to my teammates too for them making open photographs clears a whole lot of house up for me.”

All night time lengthy Sfanos was mesmerizing as he regularly discovered house and was discovering the basket with ease.

“It was one thing I labored on over the summer season,” Sfanos mentioned. “As an alternative of simply catch and shot, it was attending to my spot, discovering my house and pulling up.”

Whereas Sfanos assembled the perfect efficiency of his profession, Mars pulled collectively as a unit to take down a 5-0 Indians group in part play. Not solely did the Fightin’ Planets spoil the undefeated streak, however in addition they avenged a 33-point loss from the start of January.

“North Hills is super,” Carmody mentioned. “They actually took it to us down at their place. Our guys have gotten a lot better since then. They’ve grown and really feel extra snug.”

Carmody emphasised the significance of the off-the-ball performs that helped his group stick with Parham to maintain the sport shut all through and safe the win.

“Ian Zukowski didn’t rating a degree however got here in and he’s bought to bang into Royce a bit of bit. I assumed he did an incredible job in his function. He didn’t even take a shot. He made Royce’s job a bit of tougher,” Carmody mentioned.

Regardless of the loss and the shut protection on Parham, he nonetheless managed 33 factors within the dropping effort.

“Royce is nearly as good as you’ll get,” Carmody mentioned. “If you happen to attempt to play him with one man, you’re in for a world of harm.”

With consecutive wins, Mars will now set its deal with Baldwin because the Fightin’ Planets and Combating Highlanders will face off two instances in three days.





Supply hyperlink

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BasketBall

Pitt Finishes Third at ACC Wrestling Championships

Published

13 hours ago

on

March 6, 2023

By


RALEIGH, N.C. — Pitt completed in third place on the 2023 Wrestling Championships at Reynolds Coliseum Sunday. Two Pitt wrestlers gained a title, one completed in second, three gained third place matches and 6 wrestlers earned automated qualifying spots of their weight courses.

The Panthers completed with a complete of 60.0 factors on the Wrestling Championships. NC State gained the Championships with 101.5 factors and Virginia Tech completed in second place with 78.0 factors. Behind Pitt got here North Carolina in fourth place with 37.0 factors, Virginia in fifth place with 35.0 factors and Duke in final place with 14.0 factors. That is the third straight 12 months the Panthers have completed in third place on the ACC Championships.

Pitt wrestling protection on Pittsburgh Sports activities Now’s sponsored by the Pittsburgh Wrestling Membership.

Pittsburgh Wrestling Club

197 Kilos

No. 1 Pitt redshirt senior Nino Bonaccorsi (16-0) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled in opposition to No. 4 Virginia graduate Michael Battista within the Semifinals.

He managed the match and defeated Battista in a 12-3 main resolution to maneuver onto the Remaining for the fourth time and incomes himself his fifth straight look on the NCAA Championships.

Bonaccorsi confronted off in opposition to No. 3 NC State sophomore Isaac Trumble within the Remaining. Bonaccorsi scored two factors off an escape and a locked palms violation, which he used to win a 2-1 resolution over Trumble.

The victory serves as Bonaccorsi’s third straight ACC title, the longest streak for a Pitt wrestler within the convention. It is usually the second victory for Bonaccorsi over Trumble this season and the second straight time he has defeated him for an ACC title.

Bonaccorsi mentioned after the match that he felt nice successful one other title in such a aggressive convention just like the ACC. He additionally congratulated Trumble on his tenacity as a wrestler and the way Trumble has challenged him to enhance as wrestler going ahead to compete at NCAA Championships.

“He’s a tricky child,” Bonaccorsi mentioned. “Actually respect him loads. He’s a tricky competitor. Sport plan was simply to attain factors. Simply go on the market and rating factors. That’s my recreation plan for everybody. Simply attempt to rating as many level as potential. Clearly, tonight was not tremendous excessive scoring. Stuff I undoubtedly should working to get my ties and my photographs extra somewhat bit. With such a tricky man like him it’s nice to have such shut matches. All of them get me prepared for the top of the season. Actually grateful for him as an opponent.”

141 Kilos

No. 1 redshirt senior Cole Matthews (19-1) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled No. 4 Virginia Tech first-year Tom Criminal within the Semifinals. He used two takedowns and an escape to defeat Criminal in a 6-3 resolution and transfer on to the Remaining.

Matthews battled with No. 2 sophomore Ryan Jack within the Remaining for the second straight season. Matthews constructed up using time within the second interval and gained the Remaining in a 2-1 resolution due to it, whereas additionally warding off photographs from Jack all through.

The win is the second straight ACC title for Matthews and second consecutive defeating Jack. He’s now 4-0 in opposition to Jack up to now two season as nicely.

“We each wish to roll round so, it may get somewhat scary once you begin wrestling a man like Ryan [Jack] does,” Matthews mentioned on his opponent. “I attempt to preserve my composure. Maintain my palms down and be prepared for no matter assault he brings.”

133 Kilos 

No. 1 Pitt redshirt senior Micky Phillippi (13-3) earned a First Spherical bye and confronted off in opposition to No. 5 Virginia sophomore Marlon Yarbrough within the Semifinals.

Phillippi defeated Yarbrough in a 5-2 resolution off two takedowns and an escape to maneuver onto the Remaining. With the win, Phillippi turned the second Panther to clinch an automated qualifier spot on the NCAA Championships, making it his fifth time doing so.

Phillippi and No. 3 NC State redshirt sophomore Kai Orine battled within the Remaining carefully all through and solely scored one level after three intervals, forcing extra time. Orine defeated Phillippi with a superb takedown for a 3-1 sudden victory, giving him the ACC Title.

The loss for Phillippi makes it three straight years he completed as a runner up and in addition makes him a five-time consecutive finalist at 133 kilos, as he gained titles in 2019 and 2020. The loss can also be the second this season for Phillippi in opposition to Orine, as he misplaced 3-1 on tiebreakers on Feb. 10.

125 Kilos 

No. 4 redshirt junior Colton Camacho (18-9) gained a 11-2 main resolution over No. 5 Virginia fifth 12 months Patrick McCormick within the First Spherical.

He wanted to win his matchup with No. 1 NC State redshirt junior Jarrett Trombley within the ACC Semifinals to earn a spot within the finals. Camacho saved it shut with Trombley early on, however Trombley broke the impasse at 3-3 within the second interval with a reversal and 4 again factors, en path to a 9-5 resolution.

The loss meant that he additionally missed out on a NCAA automated qualifier spot, because the NCAA solely allotted two for the convention at his weight class.

Regardless of lacking out on the finals and an automated bid, Camacho solid on and saved on wrestling.

He simply dealt with No. 6 Duke first-year Ethan Grimminger within the Comfort Semifinals, successful a 17-3 main resolution.

Camacho then confronted No. 3 North Carolina graduate Jack Wagner within the Third Place match. Each wrestlers discovered themselves deadlocked at 1-1 within the third interval, till Camacho made an necessary takedown. Wagner acquired an escape late and threatened to attain, however Camacho held on for the Third Place victory in a 3-2 resolution.

165 Kilos

No. 1 redshirt senior Holden Heller (14-6) earned a First Spherical bye and wrestled No. 4 Virginia Tech redshirt sophomore Connor Brady within the Semifinals.

Holden Heller had bother coping with Brady all the match and misplaced a in a 7-5 resolution. That loss was the primary for Holden Heller within the ACC this season.

Shifting on to the Comfort semifinals, Holden Heller defeated No. 6 Duke redshirt senior Gabe Dinette in a detailed 5-4 resolution.

Holden Heller then confronted off in opposition to No. 3 NC State first-year Matthew Singleton within the Third Place Match. Holden Heller began out with an 8-1 lead after the primary interval, thanks to 2 takedowns and 4 again factors.

Singleton got here again with two again factors after which 4 extra again factors to chop the result in simply 8-7 after two intervals. Holden Heller managed to stick with it and acquired yet one more takedown within the third interval to win Third Place on a 10-7 resolution.

Successful Third Place for Holden Heller meant he earned an automated NCAA qualifier spot.

174 Kilos 

No. 3 Pitt redshirt first-year Luca Augustine earned a First Spherical bye after Duke didn’t put anybody at 174 kilos.

He wrestled No. 2 NC State redshirt junior Alex Faison within the Semifinals. Like of their first matchup, Faison took a detailed win, in a 3-2 resolution over Augustine. A Faison takedown of Augustine within the second interval proved to be the distinction within the match ultimately.

Augustine defeated No. 4 UNC redshirt senior Michael Goldfeder in a 4-0 resolution within the Comfort Semifinals. He then beat No. 5 Virginia fifth 12 months Victor Marcelli within the Third Place match in a 3-1 resolution with a takedown and an escape, clinching the final automated qualifier spot for the NCAA Championships.

Pitt head coach Keith Gavin spoke on Augustine’s improvement all through the season. He mentioned that he anticipated him to do in addition to he has achieved this season and in addition to develop on the NCAA Championships subsequent week.

“Luca’s [Augustine] gonna work actually onerous. It’s going to be a extremely unhealthy draw for any person as a result of he’s going to carry it. Lengthy-term talking it’s good for his improvement to get there [NCAAs] as a freshman. That’s what we count on of him to be there proper now.”

184 Kilos 

No. 5 Pitt redshirt junior Reece Heller gained a 12-3 main resolution over No. 4 Virginia graduate Neil Antrassian within the First Spherical. Reece Heller acquired revenge on Antrassian, who he misplaced to in a 7-3 resolution on Jan. 20. 

Reece Heller didn’t progress to the Remaining, as he stood no likelihood in opposition to No. 1 NC State redshirt junior Trent Hidlay, shedding in a 23-5 technical fall resolution within the Semifinals.

He then majored No. 6 Duke junior Jack Wimmer, 12-0 within the Comfort Semifinals. This put him within the Third Place Match and in addition formally earned him one of many 5 automated qualifying spots at his weight class for the NCAA Championships.

Wrestling in opposition to No. 2 Virginia Tech first-year Hunter Bolen within the Third Place match, he fell behind 4-2 after two intervals. Reece Heller then escaped and acquired a takedown to take a late 5-4 lead. Bolen managed to counter this, with a reversal simply earlier than the buzzer to win Third Place, 7-5.

Heavyweight (285)

No. 4 Pitt senior Mike Slinger (9-9) earned a 3-1 sudden victory over No. 5 UNC senior Brandon Whitman within the First Spherical, for his first victory since Jan. 20. 

Slinger moved on to the Semifinals to tackle No. 1 Duke senior Jonah Niesenbaum. Each wrestlers saved it shut, however a Niesenbaum takedown proved the distinction, as he defeated Slinger, 3-2 for the second time in three weekends.

No. 6 Virginia senior Ethan Weatherspoon made three takedowns en path to a 7-4 resolution over Slinger within the Comfort Semifinals. This loss ended Slinger’s season, as there are solely three automated qualifier spots in his weight class, and his profession at Pitt.

149 Kilos 

No. 4 Pitt redshirt sophomore Tyler Badgett (16-12) began the day with a disappointing loss No. 5 North Carolina graduate Zach Sherman in a  7-2 resolution within the First Spherical.

Badgett wrestled No. 3 Virginia graduate Jarod Verkleeren within the Consolations Semifinals. He misplaced a detailed, 3-2 resolution to Verkeleeren, ending his day.

He missed his alternative to earn an automated qualifier spot for NCAA Championships, as there are solely three for his weight class.

157 Kilos 

No. 4 senior Dazjon Casto additionally had a day to overlook on the match on the ACC Championships. He misplaced a 5-4 resolution after using time to No. 5 Virginia graduate Jake Keating within the First Spherical. Keating acquired revenge on Casto, after Casto defeated him in a 14-8 resolution on Jan. 20. 

Casto then saved it shut with No. 3 NC State sophomore Ed Scott within the Comfort Semifinals, in comparison with his 19-3 technical fall loss in opposition to him on Feb. 10.   . Scott stayed on the defensive and held Casto scoreless, and ended up successful a 4-0 resolution.

The loss ended Casto’s day and in addition his likelihood at an automated NCAA qualifier spot, as there are solely three at his weight class, due to this fact, ending his Pitt profession with a profession 6-9 file in 2022-23.

Pitt will carry not less than six wrestlers to the NCAA Wrestling Championships to Tulsa, Okla. March 16-18, with a couple of having an opportunity to win a person Nationwide Title since Gavin did it at Pitt at 174 kilos in 2008.

Listed below are the Panthers who earned automated qualifying spots on Sunday.

133: Redshirt senior Micky Phillippi

141: Redshirt senior Cole Matthews

165: Redshirt senior Holden Heler

174: Redshirt first-year Luca Augustine

184: Redshirt junior Reece Heller

197: Redshirt senior Nino Bonaccorsi.





Supply hyperlink

Continue Reading

BasketBall

Pitt Girls’s Lacrosse Falls To Louisville, 12-9, After Fourth Interval Comeback

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 6, 2023

By


Pitt fought again within the fourth interval however in the end fell to Louisville, 12-9, on Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium. With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-3 on the season and 0-2 in ACC play.

Louisville out-shot Pitt, 29-28. The Panthers edged Louisville in pictures on objective, nonetheless, 18-17. The Cardinals had the clear benefit in free place pictures (9-2), floor balls (17-12) and brought about turnovers (9-6).

Lower than a minute into the sport, Pitt’s Camdyn O’Donnell ripped one previous Louisville goaltender Sara Addeche to place the Panthers up 1-0. Sydney Naylor then put one at the back of the web, her eighth objective of the season. Louisville rebounded with objectives from Kokoro Nakazawa, Hannah Morris and Nicole Perroni to take the lead on the 9:40 mark of the primary interval. Pitt scored two extra objectives close to the top of the interval to go into the second with a 4-3 benefit.

To start the second, Nicole Perroni scored on a free place shot to tie the sport at 4-4. The Cardinals then went on a run with 4 extra objectives, whereas the Panthers went scoreless within the interval.

Ava Washington stopped the Cardinals’ run with a objective on the 7:46 mark of the third interval. Nonetheless, Negai Nakazawa answered with a rating to offer Louisville a 9-5 lead heading into the fourth. To start the ultimate interval, Pitt went on a three-goal scoring surge to get inside one rating. The Panthers obtained objectives from Emily Coughlin, Washington and Naylor. Naylor then scored on a free place shot to tie the sport at 9-9 with 8:49 remaining in regulation. It was Naylor’s third objective of the sport and the tenth of the season.

The Panthers have been unable to shut after their 4 unanswered objectives though, as Louisville obtained objectives from Negai Nakazawa, Perroni and Kokoro Nakazawa to safe a 12-9 win for the Cardinals. Morris and Perroni led Louisville with three objectives every, whereas the Nakazawa sisters each had two objectives. Naylor led the Panthers with three objectives, whereas O’Donnell and Washington every had two objectives.

The Panthers subsequent recreation is on Saturday, March 11 towards Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Face-off is at 12 p.m and the sport may be streamed on the ACC Community.





Supply hyperlink

Continue Reading

BasketBall

Pitt Baseball Routs Stetson, 10-2

Published

19 hours ago

on

March 5, 2023

By


After a heartbreaking loss to Stetson within the backside of the ninth on Saturday evening, the Panthers bounced again and routed the Hatters, 10-2, on Sunday afternoon at Melching Discipline in DeLand, Fla.

Pitt righty Erubiel Candelario bought the win for the Panthers. Total, Pitt’s pitching rotation had a strong outing, surrendering solely two runs and 5 hits. Additionally they struck out 11 batters.  Pitt had eight hits and have been led by first baseman Noah Martinez, who went 3 of three and had a two-run homer. Left fielder AJ Nessler additionally had two hits and two RBIs.

The Panthers bought out of the gates quick by scoring 4 runs within the prime of the primary. All 4 runs have been unearned and three have been off mishaps by Stetson pitcher Cooper Smith. Tommy Tavarez and Jayden Melendez have been each hit by pitches with the bases loaded to herald runs, whereas Dom Popa was walked. Smith was pulled earlier than the tip of the second inning.

Candelario compelled the Hatters to strand a pair of runners within the backside of the second. Stetson additionally  left a runner on third within the backside of the third. Stetson lastly bought on the scoreboard within the backside of the fourth as Christian Pregent flied out to heart area to convey dwelling Landon Moran.

After 5 straight scoreless innings, Martinez hit a two-run homer within the prime of the seventh to extend the Panthers’ result in 6-1. Stetson answered with one other run within the backside of the seventh as Evan Griffis flied out to heart area and introduced dwelling Andrew Estrella.

The Panthers gave their lead some cushion within the prime of the ninth with two extra runs. Jack Anderson and AJ Nessler each recorded RBI singles to herald a run. Heading into the underside of the ninth with a seven-run lead, Panthers nearer Nash Bryan took care of enterprise and retired the facet to safe a 9-2 victory for Pitt.

With the win, the Panthers at the moment are 7-5 on the season. They face South Florida in Tampa Bay on Tuesday earlier than starting ACC play, which begins on Friday towards Florida State in Tallahassee.

 





Supply hyperlink

Continue Reading

Trending