Brian Hagberg
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. – Warren hung with Chartiers Valley through the first half of their PIAA Class 5A Quarterfinal, but the Colts showed why they’re the top-ranked 5A team in the state in the second half en route to a 61-38 win Saturday.
The Dragons jumped out to an early lead, 11-8, at the first-quarter media timeout, but the Colts came back to grab a nine-point advantage, 34-25, at the half. CV outscored Warren 18-7 in the third quarter to blow the game open.
The Colts closed the first quarter on an 11-6 run to take a 19-14 lead into the second. The Dragons came back early in the second quarter as a Gracie Ruhlman 3-pointer cut the deficit to 22-19. Midway through the quarter, Aislin Malcolm completed a traditional 3-point play after a steal and score layup to put the Colts up 26-19. Malcolm buried a corner three to push the lead to 10 on CV’s next possession.
Riley Childress’s 3-pointer with 2:45 to go ended a 3:34 scoring drought for the Dragons and cut the deficit to seven. Ella Cupka answered right back with a three of her own, but Emma Ruhlman banked in a 3-pointer to make it 32-25. A Perri Page layup made it 34-25 at the half.
Kelsey Stuart knocked down a 3-pointer less than 90 seconds into the third quarter to make it a six-point game, 36-30. The Colts closed out the quarter on a 16-2 run.
Abby Vaites answered with a corner three to push the lead back to nine. Hallie Cowan drained another 3-pointer on CV’s next possession and the Colts were off and running. CV took a 52-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
After scoring 19 points midway through the first quarter, the teams combined to score just 15 in the fourth.
Page scored 10 of her game-high 19 points in the first quarter. Cowan scored 16 and Malcolm 11 in the win.
Childress led the Dragons with 12 points, while Emma Ruhlman added 11 and Stuart eight.
CHARTIERS VALLEY 61, WARREN 38
Score by Quarters
Warren 14 11 7 6 – 38
Chartiers Valley 19 15 18 9 – 61
Warren – 38
Riley Childress 5-0-0-12, Emma Ruhlman 4-2-2-11, Kelsey Stuart 3-0-0-8, Teagan Paris 2-0-2-4, Gracie Ruhlman 1-0-0-3, Totals 15-2-4-38
Chartiers Valley – 61
Perri Page 9-1-3-19, Hallie Cowan 6-1-1-16, Aislin Malcolm 4-1-1-11, Helene Cowan 2-2-2-6, Ella Cupka 2-0-0-6, Abby Vaites 1-0-0-3, Totals 24-5-7-61
