Wade’s high school career ends as Clairton eliminated

The high-scoring Bears star had 24 points and 13 rebounds in her final game.

Clairton’s season came to an end in the first round of the PIAA Class 1A playoffs as St. Joseph Academy pulled away late for a 61-46 win. The loss marked the final high school game for senior Iyanna Wade, one of the most prolific scorers in WPIAL history.

St. Joseph jumped out to an early 7-2 lead behind an andone from Jacee Cunningham, but its outside shooting, usually a strength, was off the mark early. The Cougars missed their first several three-point attempts, allowing Clairton to stay within reach. Karma Fuqua responded with a pair of jumpers, and Wade added a tough up-and-under layup plus the foul to cut the deficit to 12-9.

Clairton forced a turnover in the final minute of the quarter, and Fuqua continued her hot start with another mid-range jumper off the glass.

Naomi Crispin, St. Joseph’s leading scorer, was 0-for-6 from three and 1-for-8 from the field in the opening period as Clairton’s defense held strong. By the end of the first quarter, the Bears trailed by just one, 15-14.

Early in the second, Clairton took its first lead at 18-17 after layups from Wade and Jamiya Childs. With Crispin and Himes still struggling from deep — combining for just 1-of-12 from three in the first half — Clairton kept pushing. Wade, drawing extra defenders, found Childs open for a three, making it 21-17 with 4:13 left in the half.

St. Joseph responded with free throws from Cunningham and Crispin to cut the lead to one before Himes knocked down a midrange jumper. Crispin finally connected on her first three-pointer, capping off an 8-0 scoring run and putting St. Joseph back ahead, 25-21.

Wade answered with a driving layup, but St. Joseph closed the half strong. A quick basket from their bench and two free throws from Cunningham extended their lead to 29-23 at halftime.

“That was a really good team,” said Clairton head coach Carlton Wade. “We just didn’t have enough to fight with. They’re big, they pounded the ball down low and shot the ball well. We did fight back, so I’m proud of this team. I could see that team going pretty far.”

The third quarter started with St. Joseph asserting control on the boards. After grabbing multiple offensive rebounds on their first two possessions, Crispin and Himes hit back-to-back threes, stretching the lead to 35-23. Another trip to the free-throw line for Crispin pushed the margin to 14.

Wade responded by attacking the rim, earning a trip to the free-throw line and making both shots to make it 37-25. Childs followed with a three-pointer, but Wade missed two free throws on the next possession after drawing contact. She quickly bounced back, driving through the defense for a layup and an and-one, cutting the deficit to 39-33 with three minutes left in the third.

Just as Clairton built momentum, Crispin caught fire, knocking down two threes in the final three minutes of the quarter. Yartz continued dominating the boards, grabbing her 20th rebound before the period ended. Heading into the fourth, St. Joseph led 49-38.

Clairton made one last push, scoring back-to-back baskets to trim the deficit to 51-42 with 6:29 left. But foul trouble shifted the game. Yartz fouled out with just under five minutes remaining, taking St. Joseph’s top rebounder off the floor.

With three minutes left, Crispin picked up her fifth foul on a charge. With both its leading scorer and top rebounder out, St. Joseph needed others to step up. Alexia Luckovich responded, driving past Childs for a layup. After a missed free throw, Layla Fetzer grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up, extending the lead to 58-43. St. Joseph ran the clock out from there, securing the 61-46 victory.

Wade exited the game in the final minute to a standing ovation, finishing her career with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

“This isn’t how I wanted to go out, but I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished,” Wade said. “Like my brother told me, I exceeded my own expectations. Knowing this was my last game, I felt a mix of emotions. I remember asking my dad how many points I’d need to average just to reach a thousand, and now, to be where I am — it’s crazy. I wasn’t able to win a championship, but I’m still just proud.”

“She’s tired,” coach Wade said. “I feel for the kid. Each and every day, she has to come out to box-and-ones, and diamonds-and-twos, and still has to carry the team, and she’s done an excellent job. She’s just at a point now where she’s worn.”

With 3,120 career points, Wade is one of only four players in WPIAL history to surpass 3,000. She’s now second all-time in scoring after recently passing Monessen’s Charel Allen.

“She’s a warrior,” Wade added. “She’s done everything we needed her to do here at Clairton. It’s been an unbelievable journey. From her freshman year to now, she has gotten stronger, and her outside jumper has been much improved. I don’t think we’ll see a player like her any time soon. I can’t wait for her next chapter, going into college. I think she’s going to do wonderful things at the next level.”

Elizabeth Forward 44, Fairview 35

The Warriors won their first-round matchup in the PIAA Class 4A girls basketball tournament on Saturday.

Elizabeth Forward (20-7) traveled meet the District 10 runners-up, and took its gritty defense with it to move on.

“We really dug in defensively in the fourth quarter,” EF coach Noah Yartin said. “Fairview is a very sound defensive team, and we knew we had to be focused, physical, and gritty on that end. We valued each possession down the stretch, both offensively and defensively. We fought hard, made timely shots, and now it’s back to work on Monday. We have to be ready for Oakland Catholic on Wednesday.”

Chloe Zombek scored 15 points to lead the Warriors while Kaelynn Settles added 10 points and Michelle Jellison had nine. On the other side, Fairview was led by Breanna Heidt with 10 points.

EF will take on WPIAL champions Oakland Catholic on Wednesday at Norwin. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.