Campy’s Pizza outlasts Howard Hanna, 75-71

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Thomas Jefferson sophomore Evan Berger hit a 3-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to help lift Campy’s Pizza to a 75-71 victory over Howard Hanna Wilson Baum on opening night of the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League Monday at Marx’s Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth Township. 

Berger, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in his MVISBL debut, hit a trey to give Campy’s a 72-69 lead. Michael Michalski of South Allegheny then followed with a bucket to make it a five-point advantage before a pair of free throws from Keondre DeShields (Laurel Highlands) cut the deficit to three for Howard Hanna. 

Berger, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, went 1 for 2 from the free throw line in the final minutes to seal the victory. 

“Evan played well and he didn’t even have his best offensive night. That says a lot,” Campy’s head coach Naz Victoria said. “I think he’s going to live up to what I expected out of him.” 

Berger was one of four Campy’s players who finished in double figures in the victory. 

Brandon Patterson (Washington) led the way with a team-high 20 points, while Travarese Rowe (McKeesport) poured in 16 points and collected 12 boards. Isaiah Gonzalez (Kiski Area) added a 10-point effort. 

Brody Tharp, a sophomore from Beth-Center, and Michalski, a sophomore from South Allegheny, also made a significant impact for a Campy’s team that was limited to just six players. Tharp hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points. Michalski tallied six points. 

“I love the effort my team put on display tonight. We had six guys who played hard and did what they needed to do,” Victoria said. “They showed a ton of resiliency, knocking down bigs shots when it mattered most.”

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