BVA advances with win over Clearfield

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

For the first time since 1981, the Belle Vernon Area boys basketball team will play in a PIAA second-round game.

The Leopards finished with four players in double figures and held on for a thrilling 65-60 win over District 9 champion Clearfield at St. Mary’s High School.

After trailing 25-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Bison (15-9) clawed their way back and cut the lead to 61-60 with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Just three minutes after trailing by 10.

But BVA’s Daniel Gordon stepped to the line and calmly drained two free throws and following a steal on the defensive end, Thomas Hepple followed a Devin Whitlock missed layup with a dunk to seal the win with seven seconds to go.

“This is a very big step for the program,” BVA head coach Joe Salvino said. “We were just in the WPIAL championship and now we won a state playoff game. Other good things are going to happen if we continue to do the things we want to do.”

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