By: Paul Schofield


Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 9:06 PM

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Greensburg Central Catholic tried to limit Union leading scorer Lucas Stanley with a box-and-one defense.

And for most of the game, the strategy worked.

But big-time players can still rise to the occasion.

Stanley buried a 3-pointer with 1 minute, 35 seconds left for a one-point lead, added a clutch free throw with 15.2 seconds remaining and secured a rebound with a second left as No. 8 Union upset No. 1 Greensburg Central Catholic, 44-42, in a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal Thursday at Shaler.

Union (18-6) faces Neshannock in the semifinals. It will be the third meeting of the season between the Lawrence County rivals.

“We knew they’d try to take our leading scorer away from us for most of the game with a junk defense,” Union coach Mark Stanley said. “But what it did was enable us to control the boards. That’s a weakness of that defense, and Jamel (Mitchell) did a great job controlling the inside.”

Stanley came into the game averaging 24.6 points. He had 36 in Union’s win against Fort Cherry. The Centurions held him to 14.

Union outrebounded Greensburg Central Catholic, 38-22, with Mitchell pulling down 12 rebounds. He also contributed 14 points.

The Scotties’ patience allowed them to control the pace of the game. They led 11-9 after a quarter.

Greensburg Central Catholic (21-3) played its best in the second quarter and the early part of the third quarter.

The Centurions led 24-21 at halftime and built a 33-27 lead in the third quarter as A.J. Tarpley got loose for some easy baskets.

“It was a rough night, especially around the rim,” GCC coach Christian Hyland said. “We made a couple shots when we had to, but overall, we just missed a couple opportunities.”

Stanley hit a couple of 3-pointers in the third quarter as Union tied the score 35-35 heading into the final quarter.

A 3-pointer by Brady O’Rourke gave GCC a 38-37 lead, and a basket by Samir Crosby pushed it to 40-37.

Union senior Maddox Thompson tied the score 40-40 via a 3-pointer with 5:13 left.

Ty Rozier put the Centurions up 42-40 with 3:47 left.

Stanley then picked up a loose ball and drained a 3-pointer with 1:35 left.

“At the end, our leading scorer is able to get some looks and knock them down,” Stanley said. “It was a great game, and they are a great team. We were just fortunate.”

Crosby had a chance at either tying the score or giving the Centurions the lead with 58.6 seconds left, but he missed two free throws.

GCC had a couple more chances to tie the score but could not get a shot to fall.

Stanley’s free throw with 15.6 seconds left made it 44-42.

GCC’s final 3-pointer from the corner missed, and Union celebrated.

“Rebounding was a big part of the game,” Hyland said. “They were more physical than we anticipated. Most of the 50/50 balls went their way. So, give them a lot of credit.”

The Centurions fall into the consolation bracket for placement in the PIAA tournament, which begins March 7 and 8.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Union