Gladiators win first-place showdown

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

Antonio Epps’ 20-point night gave South Allegheny a win over Shady Side Academy and a solid hold on first place in Section 3-3A.

The Gladiators (6-1, 5-0) took control of the game in the second quarter on their way to a 56-49 win. A late surge by SSA made the score closer than the game actually was.

In addition to Epps, who was honored before the game for reaching 1,000 points, Bryce Epps tallied 16, including seven in the second quarter, and Omar Faulkner scored eight with eight rebounds and eight blocks.

SA played a suffocating defensive style that frustrated Shady Side Academy most of the game. The Bulldogs managed just one field goal in the second quarter as Faulkner and his teammates didn’t give SSA any open looks at the basket.

“We take a lot of pride in that; that’s the backbone of our team is our defensive gameplan and our effort,” Gladiators head coach Tony DiCenzo said. “Credit to our guys, night in, night out, this group consistently last year into this year has really focused on that and making other teams earn.”

Shady Side (6-1, 4-1) got into the paint at times, but quickly moved it back out due to Faulkner’s presence. The Bulldogs were unable to consistently convert on their opportunities.

“(Faulkner) is a huge asset to have back there protecting the basket,” DiCenzo said. “As long as I have been coaching, playing and been around high school basketball, I don’t know if I’ve seen as dominant a defensive player in all my years. He’s really special in that regard.”

It was a tight game early as South Allegheny was able to gain the advantage thanks to Epps scoring nine in the opening quarter. But the game really turned thanks to his brother, Bryce.

Bryce Epps took the ball to the basket, scoring and getting fouled. He missed the free throw, but Ayden Sloss was there to get the rebound. Sloss dished the ball back to Bryce Epps, who drained a three for a rare five-point possession. SA continued to roll and took a 26-18 lead into the locker room.

If there was one area where South Allegheny struggled, it was with outside shooting. The Gladiators made four threes on the game, but they usually rely on make more.

“We got open looks in the first half with people that we feel confident in taking those shots and they just haven’t fallen,” DiCenzo said. “Seven games into the season and we have yet to find our rhythm offensively. We are not scoring the ball as well as I think we are capable of.”

Shady Side Academy came into the game as the WPIAL leader in scoring defense at 37.7 points per game. South Allegheny had that point total part way through the third as the Gladiators outscored SSA 15-9 in the quarter, taking a 41-27 lead.

The lead grew to as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter. Shady Side was able to trim the deficit to single digits as South Allegheny put in its reserves.

The Bulldogs’ Eli Teslovich scored 10 of his 15 points in the final quarter to lead SSA. Peter Kramer scored 13 and Ethan Salvia added 12 for Shady Side Academy.

South Allegheny is back in action Friday at Apollo-Ridge.