SA earns ‘must win’ over Carlynton

By Joe Sabolek

MVI Sports

Entering Thursday night, South Allegheny head coach Leslie McPherson knew her team was preparing for a “must win game.” 

She understood the significance of the Section 3-3A showdown with Carlynton and the Gladiators did, too, coming away with a 44-39 upset victory over the section-leading Cougars. 

Not only did SA (4-5, 2-2) pick up a much needed section win, but it also handed Carlynton (4-5, 3-1) its first section defeat of the young campaign. 

“The girls needed that fuel and that confidence so we can get through the next two weeks of games,” said McPherson. “That was probably our toughest game we have in the next two weeks, and I told them at halftime, ‘If we win this game, that’s the way we turn the season around.’”

The first half was a back-and-forth affair as both squads knew from the opening tip that nothing was going to come easy.

South Allegheny’s Madi Kirkwood and Maddie Taylor led the way for the home squad, finishing as the only Gladiators in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively. 

McPherson had nothing but praise for her senior starters, who were able to come through when it mattered most. 

“I just mentioned to the girls that Madi Kirkwood and Maddie Taylor have stuff that you just can’t teach,” McPherson said. “They have heart, they have determination, they love the game, they have chemistry and they’re just leaders. They go hard every night and they do all the little things.” 

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