Boys Hoops - Hempfield Tournament

McKeesport, Franklin Regional, and Greensburg Salem Boys Open Season with Wins in Hempfield Tip-Off Tourney

The first day of winter sports season play began with Hempfield Area hosting their annual tip-off tournament for boys basketball on Friday, Dec. 7. Six local teams squared off in the first day of the two-day tournament which continues on Saturday.

In the first game, McKeesport jumped out early on Jeannette and never looked back, beating the Jayhawks 66-47. The Tigers' Deamontae Diggs took game honors with 29 points, as teammate Christian Moore added 11. AJ Sharp lead the Jayhawks with 13, while Jackson Pruitt chipped in for 10.

The second game matched Franklin Regional and Belle Vernon. The Panthers built a 15-point lead after two quarters, then doubled their first half output of 34 for a 68-41 win over the Leopards. The Panthers were led by Nick Leopold with 16 and Tom Merante with 10. Larry Callaway topped the Leopards with 14. 

Game three matched up two neighboring teams who have opened recent football seasons against each other, Hempfield and Greensburg Salem. The Spartans took a 23-17 lead into halftime, but the Golden Lions came out of the locker room on fire, battling back to tie the game midway through the third quarter before pulling away for a 48-41 win over the Spartans. It was a bit of revenge for the Lions, who have lost to the Spartans on the gridiron the past few seasons. Dante Parsons had 21 points for Greensburg Salem, and Jules Nicholls topped Hempfield with 12.

Saturday matchups are Jeannette vs Belle Vernon at 2 PM, Franklin Regional vs Greensburg Salem at 3:30, and Hempfield vs McKeesport at 5 o'clock. 

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.