Gateway’s boys basketball team captured a section championship in 2023, and it didn’t wait long to add to the section-title banner that hangs in the gym at the Furrie Sports Complex.
The Gators started the season as one of the favorites to claim the Section 1-5A title, and they turned back almost every challenge, wrapping up the outright championship Jan. 30 with a 63-42 home win over Uniontown.
“We prepared well for the challenge of finishing off the title in that game,” Gateway coach Vern Benson said.
“The coaches (Edward Meli, Kirk Bruce, Chaz McCrommon) did a great job getting the guys ready, as they have all season, and we got it done. It was exciting to be able to win it like we did on our home court.”
Senior Mykel Bruce- McCrommon led the Gators with 24 points. He was 4 of 5 from the free throw line and sank two shots from beyond the arc.
Senior Jax Vovaris added 17 points, was 3 for 3 from the line and also recorded a pair of 3-pointers.
As a team, Gateway nailed six 3-pointers and hit 9 of 12 free throws.
The Gators led by 11 at the end of the third and pulled away with a 17-7 fourth quarter.
“Honestly, effort and defensive rebounding were things that really helped us finish off that win,” senior Isaiah Allah said.
“We needed to get back on defense and make stops, and we did that. It was a great feeling to get that win and get the section title, but we have more to do from there. We want to get to the WPIAL playoffs and show everybody what we can do.”
While Gateway shot fairly well from the line against Uniontown, Benson said foul shooting is something his players are always trying to improve.
“We haven’t gotten to the line nearly as much as we expect,” he said. “We’ve been working on that.”
Gateway was set to find out its playoff fate Monday as the WPIAL basketball committee was to release the Class 5A bracket with dates, times and matchups on the road to the finals at the Petersen Events Center. The Gators, as section champions, were set to receive a high seed.
While Gateway had the outright section title secured, Benson said the coaches and players didn’t want to falter in their final two section games, matchups at Penn-Trafford on Feb. 3, and at home against McKeesport last Friday.
The Warriors went into the final week of section play having clinched a spot in the WPIAL playoffs, while McKeesport was fighting Uniontown and Laurel Highlands for a postseason berth.
Gateway scored wins over Penn-Trafford and McKeesport in the first half of section play.