Monday basketball rundown: Bethel Park stays hot with comeback win at Chartiers Valley

Bethel Park’s season could not have gotten off to a worse start, but things are certainly looking up for the Black Hawks now.

After an 0-6 start while facing a grueling schedule to open the season, Bethel Park picked up its fourth consecutive win in dramatic fashion on Monday night, coming from behind to clip Chartiers Valley on the road, 46-45. The Black Hawks (4-6, 1-2) scored only three points in the first quarter and trailed, 22-13, at the half, but they battled back to take the lead on a pair of clutch free throws by Mary Boff with 3.4 seconds remaining.

“We got a rebound off their missed foul shot, and Mary took it coast-to-coast,” Bethel Park coach Samantha Loadman said. “She got fouled and made two free throws with I think 3.4 seconds to go. Then they inbounded it and never got a shot attempt off.”

Boff led the Black Hawks with 11 points in the win, while Ella Cupka finished with a game-high 19 points for the Colts (5-3, 1-1) in the losing effort.

“We have a lot of versatility on our bench and our starters. On any given night, it can be a different kid stepping up,” Loadman said. “I think the people inside that gym, the players, the coaches — we know what we’re capable of doing. We were tested super early with a very challenging schedule. Our section is not easy.

“We know every night is going to be a dogfight. I think we just stick to what we know.”

Other girls games

• Justine Forbes scored a game-high 17 points, and Amelia McMichael contributed 16 for Butler (6-5, 1-0) in a 46-42 overtime win against Seneca Valley in Class 6A Section 1 action. Natalie Hambly led the host Raiders (3-7, 0-1) with 16 points in defeat.

• Madison Zavasky led all scorers with 22 points for Pine-Richland (5-3, 1-0), guiding the Rams to a 53-39 home win against Hempfield in another Class 6A Section 1 clash. Ava Shipman led the way with 10 points for the Spartans (6-4, 0-1) in the loss.

• Maddie Syka finished with 22 points for Lincoln Park (9-0, 1-0) to help keep the Leopards unbeaten with a 54-49 road win against West Allegheny. Ava Henke scored 16 points to lead the Indians (3-6, 0-1) in the Class 5A Section 4 showdown.

Three stars

*** — Nora Johns scored a game-high 24 points for Quaker Valley, outscoring Ambridge by herself to help power the Quakers to a 70-23 victory against the Bridgers.

** — Shea Champine kept up his stellar campaign with a 35-point scoring outburst against Nazareth Prep, leading Bishop Canevin to a 71-58 road win.

* — Tiffany Zelmore continued to stuff the stat sheets for Mount Pleasant, tallying 41 points for the Vikings in a 59-44 win against Burrell.

Hot from deep

Players with 3 or more 3-pointers: Addie Lonergan, Seton LaSalle, 5; Alayna Rocco, North Catholic, 5; Emma Paul, Armstrong, 4.

Boys score

Bishop Canevin 71, Nazareth Prep 58

Girls scores

Avonworth 52, South Allegheny 12

Bethel Park 46, Chartiers Valley 45

Butler 46, Seneca Valley 42

Carmichaels 40, Beth-Center 35

Elizabeth Forward 77, Southmoreland 22