SA cruises to win over Springdale

By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com

Four of South Allegheny’s starters finished in double figures as the Gladiators cruised to a 68-43 non-section triumph over Springdale Wednesday.

Dillion Hynes shined with a game-high 18 points for SA (8-2), while Omar Faulkner poured in 17. Antonio Epps and Ethan Kirkwood each finished with 10 apiece. Bryce Epps, the lone SA starter not in double figures, came one point shy with nine points.

“Everyone talks about Bryce, Tony and Omar, but our four through eight are just as important to this team as they are,” SA head coach Tony DiCenzo said. “It makes it very difficult for teams to guard us because everyone wants to focus on those three. When you have guys on the perimeter and on the wings making shots, then they have to respect that and it opens the floor up for Bryce, Tony and Omar.”

After serving as a reliable sophomore contributor off the bench last season, Hynes has stepped up as a full-time junior starter this year.

He scored 11 of his points in the first half and hit four 3-pointers in the win.

“He’s really growing,” DiCenzo said. “He’s becoming more confident and comfortable, and his teammates trust him. He’s going to get these opportunities based on the attention other teams pay to Bryce, Tony and Omar, and tonight he took advantage of them.”

Despite the lopsided score, South Allegheny didn’t start as hot as it finished.

The Gladiators held a slim 15-14 lead after eight minutes as Ryan Reinsfelder, who netted 15 points, knocked down three of his five 3-pointers to keep Springdale (9-5) within reach.

SA used a 14-3 run in the second quarter to extend its lead to 29-17 with under two minutes to go before Demitri Fritch and Logan Reddinger each scored on buckets inside to cut the deficit to 29-21 at the half.

“We were a little lethargic (in the first half),” DiCenzo said. “I don’t think we were playing up to our full potential.”

The Gladiators made adjustments in the second half, speeding up the tempo and utilizing a trap defense to create havoc for the Dynamos.

Success on the defensive end of the floor translated to points on the offensive end as SA used a 19-2 run to push its lead to 48-23 with just under three minutes left in the third quarter.

Antonio Epps, who was limited to just three points in the first half, was everywhere during the spurt, dishing out assists and contributing with seven points.

Springdale hit four 3-pointers in the final 2:39 of the frame, but SA continuted to answer, building a 55-35 edge heading into the fourth.

The Gladiators continued to score in the final eight minutes as Faulkner and Hynes combined for nine points during a frame in which SA outscored Springdale by a 13-8 margin.

While Reinsfeld was the lone Springdale player to finish in double figures, John Hughes contributed with three 3-pointers and nine points off the bench.

SA limited Fritch, one of the Dynamos’ top scorers, to just six first-half points.

“We knew what (Fritch) was capable of, but I don’t think we did a good enough job on their wing players,” DiCenzo said. “We didn’t do well enough taking Reinsfeld away, but I guess if you’re going to help to contain Fritch, those are things that are going to happen.”

With the win, SA is now 2-2 in non-section contests this season. The Gladiators also own a victory over Class 3A Washington and two-point defeats at the hands of Class 4A Lincoln Park and Class 5A Mars.

“We’ve learned a lot and the kids have gained confidence in those experiences,” DiCenzo said. “Every time we step on the court, our goal is obviously to win, but you can still take something away from losses. To compete with those two upper classification teams in the manner we did, that’s going to benefit us down the line.”

SA will resume Section 3-3A play at home against East Allegheny Friday before hosting Thomas Jefferson in another non-section matchup Saturday.