Leopards hold off Wagner, Cougars

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Things went down to the wire in a matchup of local rivals on the second day of the CFSbank Holiday Classic at Charleroi High School Friday.

Belle Vernon Area had four players in double figures to pull out a 69-66 win over host Charleroi in the middle game of a tripleheader, but it was hard to differentiate which coach’s team got the win.

Leopards head coach Joe Salvino said he was disappointed with his team’s work on the defensive end. 

Cougars head coach Bill Wiltz, meanwhile, called the contest one of the best games he’s been a part of.

“There’s nothing like having a Valley team come in here to play against,” Wiltz said. “I wouldn’t even say I’m happy, more like I’m elated at our effort tonight.”

Another reason for Wiltz to smile was the play of sophomore Will Wagner.

Wagner finished with a career-high 30 points, 20 coming in the second half to keep the Cougars close when the Leopards looked like they were going to pull away.

“We definitely made it a lot harder than it needed to be,” Salvino said. “We allowed them to shoot outside all night. It was a matter of us just standing around and not closing out.”

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