Epps’ game-winner sends SA to semis

By Jeremy Tepper

MVI Sports

As a smaller, thin guard, Bryce Epps has had to fine-tune his game with crafty layups and floaters to outsmart bigger defenders.

So when the ball careened off the rim and into his hands with a second left in Thursday’s WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal matchup against Beaver Falls, South Allegheny’s freshman point guard knew exactly what to do. 

Calmly, he skied a floater with his left hand and nailed a clutch shot at the buzzer, giving the third-seeded Gladiators a 60-58 victory over No. 6 Beaver Falls at West Allegheny High School. 

With the win, SA (23-1) advances to face second-seeded North Catholic in the Class 3A semifinals Monday at a site and time to be determined. 

“I was in the right place at the right time. That just felt great,” Epps said. “I’m usually always working on the floater. I’m confident taking any type of shot and that shot just felt good coming off my fingertips, and it went right through the net.”

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