Basketball Run Ends for Pine-Richland Boys

The Pine-Richland boys basketball team assembled all the pieces for another exciting finish, but came up a basket short in a 52-50 loss to Connellsville in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs Thursday night at Hempfield High School.

“We always felt like we were in the game because we’ve won these types of games this season,” Pine-Richland coach Brian Gaetano said.

The Rams finished the season with a 13-7 overall record.

Connellsville, which won its seventh straight game to move to 20-2, advanced to play Mount Lebanon in Saturday’s quarterfinal round.

Junior guard Andy Andrle led Pine-Richland with 16 points. Senior guard Eric Holmes and senior guard-forward Ed Baranowski each added nine points for the Rams.

Senior guard Chris Rader made a fourth-quarter basket to pull the Rams into a 49-49 tie, but Tre Coles scored from inside in the final minute to give Connellsville the victory.

Johnny Leonard hit eight 3-point baskets and led Connellsville with 33 points. He converted seven 3-point shots in the first half as the Falcons built a 30-24 lead.

The game marked the final performances for Pine-Richland seniors Holmes, Rader, Baranowski and guard Michael Colosimo.