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Friday March 7, 2025 | 3h01
Jeff Helsel | Independent of the valley
Zion Moore de Belle Vernon turns against Noah Goetz of Avonworth in the Wpial 4A wpial semi-finals on February 22.
Going back for several years, there have been a lot of battles between Joe Salvino and the Basketball team of Farrell boys.
The two former enemies will meet on Friday evening in Belle Vernon while Salvino leads the Wpial Léopards champion against the Steelers, the fifth place team in the District 10.
It has been eight days since the leopards (21-4) raised the Wpial trophy, but Salvino said that things remain the status quo when the team begins its quest for a state championship.
“We have just tried to keep it as normal as possible,” said Salvino about the preparation of the team. “Playing at home must be an advantage for us. I hope that the excitement of the game in general excites the team and the crowd and helps us to leave quickly.
“After winning a wpial, you have to bring yourself back. These children said they were going to continue to win. There are no WPIAL teams classified in the state classification of class 4A. I think it’s a motivation for them. We will see how good we are.
Salvino said he watched four or five of the Steelers of the season games. They are 1-3 against WPIAL teams this season. Their only victory came against the Sewickley Academy. They have losses against Mars, Aliquippa and Quaker Valley.
Farrell (15-11) qualified for the playoffs with a close victory of 54-50 against Oil City. Steelers are always a class A team by registration but play in the classification.
“I think they have a fairly nice team,” said Salvino. “They have two very good guards. They can pull the ball outside, they defend themselves well and they like to put a lot of pressure on the ball. »»
Salvino’s guards mentioned are Juelz Johnson and Trae Cousin Junior.
Johnson is the team’s top scorer at 14.3 points per game with an average cousin.
Julius Phillips Jr. is a senior on average 12.3 points per game.
“They are a certain size. I know they have a guy of 6-4 and 6-5 on the bench, so they can launch one in the starting program to fight against our size, “said Salvino. “When I watched the match of the oil city, they played five guards.”
The size of leopards is something that has been a catalyst in the last weeks of the season. Belle Vernon dominated the boards to allow additional goods and second chance points.
Senior striker of Leopards 6-6, Tommy Davis, collected 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory of the championship against North Catholic. Dom Ghilani added 13 other rebounds.
“Dom Ghilani has been so good for us lately,” said Salvino. “I want him to play physical. If he gets some faults, I don’t care. I need him to be this physical guy getting these rebounds. »»
Salvino said the team really bought the match plan at the start of the 15 -game LEP victories sequence.
“They realize that the defense and the rebound are a large part of what we wanted to do,” said Salvino. “I think we will have a good size advantage against Farrell.”
Looking back in the Steelers, Salvino said they were mainly a team of defense man.
“They will jump and throw a half-terrain trap 1-2-2 in there. This is something for which we will have to be prepared, ”added Salvino.
By comparing them to a team, Salvino said the Steelers looked very much like West Mifflin.
“It’s probably the closest. They are oriented towards the guard. They like to put pressure on the ball. It’s really just the way they play, “he said.
Leopards have shown a large offensive balance in the playoffs.
Salvino said that after riding the ankle against Elizabeth forward in the Wpial final round, Zion Moore is closer to 100%.
“He walks normally, and I think he can opt for our shooting,” said Salvino. “I think you might say that it bored him during our race, but he is always dangerous with all the other things he can do.”
Moore was undoubtedly affected by the ankle. He scored 14 points in the semi-finals on Avonworth before scoring 12 against North Catholic in the championship match. Despite a smaller production, it is still on average 24.4 points per game.
The senior goalkeeper Trevor Kovatch, Ghilani, Davis and Curty Wade, Trevor Kovatch, Ghilani, Davis and Curty Wade. Davis is on average 11.4 points per game with Wade and Ghilani combining nearly 12 points per game.
Kovatch is second in the team at 13.7 points per game and only needed 16 points to give it 800 for his Belle Vernon career.
The winner of the Friday match will play the winner of Sharon and Avonworth, who could create a potential revenge of the wpial semi-final for the leopards with the Antelopes.
“Right now, we just have to focus on Farrell,” said Salvino. “We cannot neglect anyone. This is where you lose. If we win, then we will worry about Tuesday’s opponent. »»
Tags: Beautiful Vernon