From the sidelines, Tommy Pisula watched his basketball team fight through the final seconds of what could very well be his last high school basketball game.

“As it got closer and closer to the end, I knew that that game was the last time I was going to get to play, and I had to end it on the bench instead of on the court,” said Pisula. “It was the worst feeling.”

On Feb. 23, Southmoreland (No. 5) fell to Shady Side Academy (No. 4) in the quarterfinals of WPIAL playoffs at Gateway High School. The Scotties fought back in the second half to temporarily take the lead but fell short by 3 points with the final score 40-37.

“We played pretty good defense only giving up 40 points,” said junior Brandon Stone. “But we needed to shoot better and play better because we all know we can.”

While the team’s hopes of making it to the semifinals for the first time in 30 years were crushed, there is still hopes for the team to be able to compete at states. If Shady Side Academy (No.5) triumphs over Lincoln Park (No. 1) and advances to the championship, the Scotties will be one of the top 6 teams in 3A that will advance to states.

The Scotties recognizes this as a possibility but are still happy with their 2016-2017 season.

“This wasn’t the outcome we expected or wanted,” said Pisula. “But it’s the one we got, and we’re not going to let it take away from the pretty good season we’ve had.”

Updated Boys 3A WPIAL Playoffs Bracket

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Keera Frye

I'm a senior at Southmoreland and an editor. I participate in many extra curricular activities and enjoy telling people's stories.

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