Forest Hills forward Brandon Gregorich has hit shot blocked by Mohawk's Joey Nail Wednesday night at Gateway High School. The Rangers eliminated Mohawk 59-45 to advance to the PIAA Class 3A quartefinals for the first time in school history. Josh Rizzo/PIttsburgh Preps and Colleges
By Josh Rizzo
MONROEVILLE - Mike O'Lare came out of the locker room following Mohawks' 59-45 loss to Forest Hills in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament full of reflection. The Warriors graduated six players from last season's team that made the state quarterfinals and only had guard Bobby Fadden to lean on.
Mohawk (21-7) responded by placing third in the WPIAL and beating Chestnut Ridge in the first round of the state playoffs. But against the Rangers, the Warriors ran into a deeper team.
"We discussed that in the locker room," O'Lare said. "I have a ton of sophomores and a year from now, we've got to be at that point and that's on me. We have to have nine or 10 guys ready. You know, we have to develop a bench. You can't play in a state quarterfinal game with five games and expect to win those games. You have to have some depth. I thought Forest Hills had some nice depth to them. We've got to get back to work."
Mohawk led 15-10 after the first quarter. However, the Rangers' stifling defense made life difficult of Fadden. Fadden scored a team-high 18 points, but he was shut out in the second and fourth quarters.
Drew Wrona knocked down three 3-pointers for the Warriors and he finished with 10 points.
"It's hard for Bobby to accept losing and we tell him he doesn't have to do it himself," O'Lare said. "We've got guys to help. Tonight, I thought he did. He moved the ball. When they started covering him up a little bit, he was trying to find other guys and did."
Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.
MONROEVILLE - Mike O'Lare came out of the locker room following Mohawks' 59-45 loss to Forest Hills in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament full of reflection. The Warriors graduated six players from last season's team that made the state quarterfinals and only had guard Bobby Fadden to lean on.
Mohawk (21-7) responded by placing third in the WPIAL and beating Chestnut Ridge in the first round of the state playoffs. But against the Rangers, the Warriors ran into a deeper team.
"We discussed that in the locker room," O'Lare said. "I have a ton of sophomores and a year from now, we've got to be at that point and that's on me. We have to have nine or 10 guys ready. You know, we have to develop a bench. You can't play in a state quarterfinal game with five games and expect to win those games. You have to have some depth. I thought Forest Hills had some nice depth to them. We've got to get back to work."
Mohawk led 15-10 after the first quarter. However, the Rangers' stifling defense made life difficult of Fadden. Fadden scored a team-high 18 points, but he was shut out in the second and fourth quarters.
Drew Wrona knocked down three 3-pointers for the Warriors and he finished with 10 points.
"It's hard for Bobby to accept losing and we tell him he doesn't have to do it himself," O'Lare said. "We've got guys to help. Tonight, I thought he did. He moved the ball. When they started covering him up a little bit, he was trying to find other guys and did."
Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.
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