Sewickley Academy upsets Greensburg Central Catholic in playoffs

Sewickley Academy defeated Greensburg Central Catholic (GCC) 52-48 on Saturday, ending GCC's journey in the PIAA Class 2A boys basketball playoffs. The Panthers came from behind, overcoming a 14-point deficit. Coach Mike Iuzzolino praised his team's growth after a previous loss helped them prepare for this game. GCC had a strong season, finishing with a 26-4 record. They made it to the PIAA semifinals for the first time since 2014 after winning two consolation games and three state playoff games. Senior Braden Riley expressed their desire to win for Coach Christian Hyland, who has faced disappointments in previous championships. GCC earned the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs but lost a close game against Union in the quarterfinals. They then rallied to win five games in a row. Despite starting strong in the semifinal, they couldn't maintain their lead as Sewickley Academy took control in the second half. Sewickley Academy's young players, including 6-foot-8 freshman Mamadou Kane and junior Lucas Grimsley, proved crucial to their victory. Kane scored 17 points, with a strong performance in the game's final minutes. Coach Hyland noted the effort from his team, complimenting their performance throughout the season. Next season, Sewickley Academy could become even stronger, while GCC will lose five senior players but has promising talent returning. Coach Hyland remains proud of his team's resilience and believes they gained valuable experiences this season.