Gladiators finish up with blowout over Vikings
By Dean Dellamalva Jr.
MVI Sports
The South Allegheny boys basketball team had its final playoff tuneup Thursday night and looked every bit like the top seed in Class 3A.
The Gladiators had three players in double figures and played lockdown defense all night in downing Apollo-Ridge, 60-29, in Section 3-3A play.
Bryce Epps registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead SA. Omar Faulkner had 15 points, six blocks and six boards, and Dillion Hynes added 12 points in the victory.
It was an effort South Allegheny (14-4, 10-1) needed to put forth as they await their first-round opponent next week.
“We played a well-rounded game tonight, I’m very pleased with our effort,” Gladiator head coach Tony DiCenzo said. “The last few games we’ve come out and we’ve pressured teams. That’s not something we typically do. I think our kids fed off that energy and got some easy baskets off of turnovers.”
The SA offense was in high gear early.
After the two teams exchanged baskets in the first minute, the Gladiators went on a 14-0 run. Faulkner, Bryce Epps and Ayden Sloss were key contributors to the run.
As a result of its play and a three by Hynes, South Allegheny led 21-4 after the first quarter. The Gladiator defense forced the Vikings (8-5, 6-4) to take some tough shots, resulting in a 16-7 rebounding edge in the first half.
“We typically defend really well and offensively we were really efficient early and scored the ball well,” DiCenzo said. “We had 21 points in the first quarter, which is good for us.”
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