Boys Basketball - Norwin vs Latrobe

Latrobe Boys Hold Off Late Norwin Comeback for 59-57 Win

Latrobe overcame a slow start in the first half, built a double digit lead in the second half, then held off a late Norwin surge in the final minutes to beat the host Knights 59-57 in a Class 6A Section 3 battle at Norwin High School. The Wildcats have not lost in 2019, with this victory extending a winning streak that began on January 4th to the present 8 games. Conference foes have battled the Wildcats tough down the stretch of the schedule, with the past two wins coming by a combined 3 points. 

The two teams traded buckets to a 7-7 score early on before Gianni Rizzo hit a 3-point shot at the midpoint of the opening quarter to put Norwin up 10-7. The Knights bumped the lead up to five points before the quarter ended at 16-11, then maintained their margin well into the second quarter. Then Latrobe began chipping away, tying the game in the late minutes of the half before taking the lead 25-22 on Bryce Butler's 3-pointer from the corner with roughly 90 seconds remaining. Latrobe's Reed Fenton scored from point blank range in the final minute, and Norwin's final possession of the half came up short, as Latrobe took a 27-26 lead into the locker room at the halftime horn.

Latrobe quickly extended their lead in the third quarter, as the Knights put up only 4 points to the Wildcats 17, and it looked like Latrobe would cruise to victory as they led 44-30 after three frames. But Norwin wasn't done yet as they fought back fiercely in the final quarter, capitalizing on Latrobe's 7 of 14 performance on the free throw line, and with 15 combined points behind the 3-point arc from Gianni Rizzo and Ty Bilinsky quickly cutting into the Latrobe advantage. Latrobe led 58-55 when Bilinsky's potential tying 3-point shot with about 40 seconds left went around the rim and spun out, and a foul to Latrobe's Fenton put him on the line for two shots. Fenton converted 1 of 2, and the Knights quickly dropped their deficit to 59-57 as Nick Fleming hit for 2 points with just under a half minute left to play. Rizzo put Latrobe's Butler on the line in the double bonus on a foul with 20.7 seconds to play. Butler missed both free throws and when the Knights grabbed the rebound and brought it over the mid-court line, Norwin took their last timeout to set up their offense with a chance to steal the upset. A tie-up whistled their offense dead with 5.8 seconds remaining, however Norwin controlled the possession arrow and still had a chance to win or force overtime. But Norwin never got a clean shot at the hoop in the remaining seconds as a loose ball erased most of their time. Norwin's Bilinsky took a final shot from long range, but it was well after the clock hit all zeroes, giving the Wildcats the season sweep of the Knights.

Bryce Butler's game-high 27 paced Latrobe, with Ryan Sickenberger adding 18 and Reed Fenton 9. Norwin had four players in double figures, led by Jayden Walker with 18 and Gianni Rizzo with 14, including four 3-pointers. Ty Bilinsky's 11 points included three 3s, and Nick Fleming chipped in for 10, including six in the Knights' 27-point fourth quarter. 

Latrobe remains perfect in section play at 9-0, and improves to 16-2 overall. They play Kiski School at home Tuesday in a non-conference game. Norwin drop to 1-8 in section play, 8-10 overall. They travel to section rival Penn-Trafford on Tuesday.            

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