Historic opportunity for South Allegheny

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Tony DiCenzo has made it very clear. His South Allegheny team isn’t just content with making it to the WPIAL championship game for the first time in program history. 

The top-seeded Gladiators have every intention of coming away with their first title when they meet No. 11 Ellwood City in the 3A championship game at 5 p.m. today at North Allegheny. 

“It’s been a great ride these last two years, but we won’t be happy unless we’re hoisting up the gold trophy,” DiCenzo said during Sunday’s recording of the Valley Sports Guys Podcast. “Look around the gym and all that’s up (on the banner) are two section championships. We set out to accomplish a lot more than that, so a letdown would leave us disappointed.” 

SA (17-4) is coming off a 62-50 win over No. 4 Aliquippa in Thursday’s semifinals. Before defeating the Quips, the Gladiators picked up wins over Ligonier Valley (first round) and Seton LaSalle (quarterfinals). 

DiCenzo’s group is led by its big three of Antonio Epps, Bryce Epps and Omar Faulkner, but SA’s role players have proven to be just as valuable. 

Ethan Kirkwood and Dillion Hynes round out SA’s usual starting five, and both are capable of hitting big shots at big moments. Hynes scored 15 points in the win over Aliquippa, including 12 in the first half. He hit five 3-pointers in the 12-point triumph. 

SA usually goes about seven players deep with Wes DiGiorgio and Ayden Sloss playing valuable minutes off the bench. 

“I feel that we have seven starters,” DiCenzo said. “Antonio, Bryce and Omar get most of the mention, but without the other guys, we’re not playing (tonight). They’ve stepped up in big moments for us all year long, and I think that will continue.”

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