Gladiators can’t catch up to D-6 Richland

South Allegheny’s Antonio Epps breaks down the defense of Richland’s Trent Rozich during Wednesday’s PIAA playoff game at Armstrong. Jeremy Tepper / MVI Sports

By JEREMY TEPPER
MVI Sports
South Allegheny played catch-up throughout its PIAA Class 3A second-round game Wednesday at Armstrong High School in Kittanning.
The Gladiators found themselves pressing to work itself back into the game against Richland. But the pressure of chasing the Rams proved too much, as South Allegheny dropped a 68-58 decision, ending its remarkable season.
“It seemed like all night long we would get it down to a possession or two, and then we would relinquish that and it would be back to six, eight or 10 before we’d know it,” said Gladiators coach Tony DiCenzo. “That’s tough. We could never just get that one key stop or that one key basket.”
There were moments where it seemed like South Allegheny could overtake the Rams for good. Early in the third quarter, the Gladiator (24-3) took a 33-31 lead. But the Rams had an answer, as Koby Bailey nailed a 3-pointer to take back the lead.
South Allegheny struggled to contain Richland’s offense as the Rams hit nine 3-pointers and constantly found good looks at the basket.
Bailey led his team with 18 points to lead four Rams in double figures.
Richland took a 45-36 lead into the third quarter and put the game away by pushing its lead to 14 points.
“We knew going in that they run their stuff really well. It’s kind of a complicated system, a continuity set. They wait for you to miss an assignment or fall asleep,” DiCenzo said. “Credit to them. Everytime we did, their guys stepped up and made big shots.”
Conversely, the Gladiators struggled to find a rhythm on offense.
South Allegheny’s big three of Bryce Epps, Omar Faulkner and Antonio Epps got their points, scoring 25, 15 and 12, respectively, while the rest of the team scored six combined.

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