Remember When – Monessen wins state ‘A’ title – March 26, 1988

(Editor’s Note: During these unprecedented times, the sports staff at the MVI will republish stories from the Valley Independent archives.)

By JEFF OLIVER
March 26, 1988
When people talk about momentum in a basketball game, they liken it to being a man. In fact, they often refer to momentum as “ol man mo.”
Yesterday at Hersheypark Area during the PIAA Class A championship game between Monessen and Bristol, momentum showed up dressed like a fine, young lady.
And, like any fine, young lady is prone to be, momentum was fickle. She swung back and forth between the two teams, keeping the players, coaches and fans on the edge of their seats the entire game.
In the end, just when it seemed that momentum was going to swing back to Bristol one more time, she jilted the Warriors and the Greyhounds came away with a 62-60 win and the first state championship in the school’s history.
Monessen had taken a 62-60 lead with 10 seconds left to play when Mike Bright tipped in a messed free throw by Chad Scott.
On the ensuing inbound, the Warriors hurried down the court and Eric Deshield dribbled around outside the three-point line. As time ran out and the Greyhounds were starting to celebrate, an official’s whistle at the buzzer said that Bright had fouled Deshield, who did not get a shot off.
So instead of celebrating, the Greyhounds had to wait anxiously as Deshield toed the line for a one-and-one. If he misses one, the Greyhounds are champs. If he makes both, the game goes into overtime and not only does Eastern champ Briston have the momentum, but they wouldn’t have to worry about Bright, who picked up his fifth foul on the play.
“I think we would have been in trouble if the game went into overtime,” said Monessen’s Jimbo Malinchak afterward.
Deshield didn’t waste any time. Feeling pretty little momentum at his side, he quickly shot the first free throw. But, at the last second, momentum turned her back as Deshield’s shot was woefully short, glanced off the front of the rim and bounced back toward the floor.
The Greyhounds were state champs.
It was a fitting ending to a game that had more highs and lows than the love life of Joan Collins.
First, Bristol (29-2) raced to a 19-12 first quarter lead as Malinchak picked up three fouls and the Warriors’ torrid-shooting Mike Simmons hit 15 straight points for his team, including three 3-pointers.
The Greyhounds (24-5) seized momentum early in the second quarter, outscoring the Warriors, 10-1, in the first 2:56 to take a 22-20 lead.

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