North Allegheny punches ticket to postseason, rolls past North Hills 61-40
by Jonathan Spina
North Allegheny used great outside shooting and big second-half defense to roll past North Hills 61-40. With the win, the Tigers clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in Section 1-6A.
Both team’s offenses came out on fire, going back and forth and hitting on all cylinders. North Allegheny excelled from behind the line and led 20-15. The second quarter was more of the same and the Tigers took an eight-point lead before the half, 37-29. Zach Andreykovich hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer to give North Allegheny momentum heading into the locker room.
In the third quarter, North Hills controlled the game but was tripping over themselves, shooting 20% from the field and 4 for 8 from the free-throw line. With the Indians struggling, the Tigers extended their lead to double figures, 45-35. North Allegheny’s defense was phenomenal all night, specifically in the fourth quarter when they didn’t allow a North Hills field goal and pulled away for a 61-40 win.
Khalil Dinkins was the PlayerPager Player of the Game with 16 points, 11 rebounds. Andreykovich added 17 points hitting five 3-pointers. Grant Timmerson threw in 14 points.
Devin Burgess led North Hills with 15 points. Alex Smith added 14 points.
North Allegheny finishes section play 4-6 in Section 1-6A and 12-9 overall. They clinched a playoff berth. Up next for the Tigers will be Erie First Christian Academy at home tomorrow at 6 pm.
North Hills falls to 3-7 in Section 1-6A and 8-13 overall. The Indians are eliminated from the playoffs but have one more game tomorrow at Gateway at 1:30 pm.
Boys Basketball vs. North Hills, 2-7-20
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| North Allegheny | 20 | 17 | 8 | 16 | 61 |
| North Hills | 15 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 40 |