Campy’s Pizza back in the hunt

By ASHLEY CHASE

MVI Sports

Campy’s Pizza completed a huge second half come back in thrilling fashion, pulling out an 80-78 victory over Elite Physical Therapy.

Elite PT held a 56-41 halftime lead but Campy’s outscored them by 17 points in the second half. Campy’s dialed up the defense and held Elite to just 22 points in the final half.

After trailing by as much as 21 points in the first half, Campy’s grabbed the lead 75-74 with a pair of Michael Michalski free throws with 1:30 to play. With an 80-78 lead, Campy’s defended Elite’s final attempt, a Notorious Grooms layup at the buzzer, which did not fall and Campy’s held on for the win.

Defense was the key for Campy’s which not only limited Elite’s scoring but used turnovers and rebounds to generate offense.

“We picked up our defense and that was the key. We added pressure and doubled guys up, trapping, forcing turnovers, guys were coming down and getting blocks,” said Campy’s head coach Naz Victoria.

Travarese Rowe shined on both sides of the ball for Campy’s with a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds. The rising junior from McKeesport dished six assists and added a handful of blocks as well.

“I think he played a great game all the way around,” Victoria said. “He’s a difference maker because he can do everything. He can play offense, defense, he can rebound, block shots, steal the ball, he can do all that for us.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.