BRADFORD 45, TRINITY 43

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March 12, 2010 - PIAA Class AAA Boys' First Round

PIAA Playoff Home Page

By Blaise O’Connor

BRADFORD – In a wild final minute, Mike White split three defenders and a hit a driving layup with 3.4 seconds remaining to give Bradford a 45-43 win over Trinity in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAA boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

“I tell our team all the time that players win games not plays,” Bradford head coach Dave Fuhrman said. “Mike stepped up and made a great play to win the game.”

Bradford (21-2), the District 9 champion and winners of 18 straight, had blown a five-point lead in the final minutes and found itself tied at 43 with 20 seconds to play. The Owls then called timeout with nine seconds left and set up a play that was originally intended for either Pug Fuhrman or Evan Kline. But Trinity defended it well before White improvised on his own and scored the winning basket.

“We ran a box sideline out of bounds play where we bring Pug off a triple, staggered screen to the win and Evan Kline off a screen to the corner,” Dave Fuhrman said. “Trinity took both options way. We did get it into Pug, but he didn’t have a shot opportunity so he kicked it back to Mike White who penetrated between the defenders and hit the twisting layup as he was falling to the floor. Luckily, he got the ball early enough and took it strong to the basket.”

Trinity (15-6), out of timeouts, inbounded the ball to Josh Valentic, whose three-quarter court heave was not close as time ran out.

Bradford led 43-38 following a Ryan Mackey basket with 56 seconds left. But Trinity got within two on a Valentic 3-pointer and then tied the game on a steal and layup by Evan Chambers with 20 seconds left.

The Owls led by as many as 11 in the first half and still held a 22-15 halftime lead before Trinity close within one, 34-33, early in the fourth quarter. That is when Pug Fuhrman, who entered the game averaging 16.9 points per game, scored his only three of the night on a 3-pointer that gave the Owls a little cushion.

“Tony Edwards played really well against Pug,” Dave Fuhrman said.

With Pug Fuhrman being contained, White stepped up and scored a game-high 15 points, his second-high total of the season. He also limited Valentic, who eneted the game averaging 23 points per game, to 12 points, which led Trinity.

“Mike had an outstanding game on both ends of the court,” Dave Fuhrman said. “He really made Valentic work for his shots and did a great job of getting through screens and keeping him out of the lane. He is one of the best shutdown defenders I have ever coached.”

Mackey added 10 points for Bradford with Kline chipping in eight and Cody Faucher six off the bench.

“That is where this team has really improved,” Dave Fuhrman said. “We have other guys who can step up and pick up the slack offensively when guys are struggling.”

Chambers added 11 for Trinity.

Bradford will face West Mifflin, an 81-69 winner over Oliver, Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

“I’m really proud of the guys,” Dave Fuhrman said. “One thing I know about them is they are going to be able to defend and battle no matter who the opponent. I’m not ready for the season to end, and I don’t think my team is either.”

BRADFORD 45, TRINITY 43

Score by Quarters

Trinity 6 9 14 14 – 43

Bradford 11 11 10 13 – 45

Trinity – 43

Rudman 2 0-0 4 , Josh Valentic 4 3-3 12, Martin 1 0-0 2, Evan Chambers 4 3-4 11, McCaffrey 0 1-2 1, Edwards 2 0-0 4, Songer 4 1-1 9. Totals: 17 8-10  43 

Bradford – 45

Matt White 0 1-2 1, Mike White 6 1-2 15, Holzwarth 0 0-0 0, Ryan Mackey 4 2-4 10, Kline 4 0-0 8, Faucher 3 0-0 6, Fuhrman 1 0-0 3, Grove 1 0-1 2. Totals: 19 4-9  45 

3-pointers – Trinity 1 (Valentic). Bradford 3 (Mike White 2, Fuhrman)