Defense was a big part of Saint Vincent’s run to a conference championship. Coaching had a little to do with it, too.
Both were exemplified by a key senior and the Bearcats’ unfettered leader on the sidelines.
The Presidents’ Athletic Conference recognized both with postseason awards Wednesday.
Saint Vincent guard Carlee Kilgus (South Fayette) was named PAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Jimmy Petruska, in his 11th year at SVC, was tabbed conference coach of the year. Kilgus averaged 11.8 points, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals and made the PAC’s all-tournament team. The Bearcats limited opponents to 60.6 points and 32.9% shooting.
Petruska, also the PAC’s top coach in 2014-15, helped SVC to a 65-61 win over Washington & Jefferson for the title. He won his 200th game in March.
Jenna Lafko, a senior guard at Saint Vincent, joined Kilgus on the first team.
Washington & Jefferson senior forward Alie Seto (Brownsville) was voted the PAC Player of the Year, while newcomer of the year went to Bethany freshman guard Makenzee Mason. Seto averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds and finished with 1,189 career points. Mason scored 15.4 a game and shot a conference-best 85% from the foul line.
On the men’s side, conference champ Westminster pulled a sweep. Senior guard Isaac Stamatiades (16.2 ppg/13.3 rpg) was picked as the player of the year while his teammate, freshman Reese Leone, was the PAC Newcomer of the Year.
The Titans’ Kevin Siroki was named PAC Coach of the Year after an 11-1 season.
Stamatiades had 11 double-doubles in 12 games, the most in the nation in Division III. He was the Most Outstanding Player in the conference tournament. Leone averaged 12.3 points and handed out a league-best 60 assists.
Monessen grad Justice Rice of runner-up Grove City was named to the first team. Rice averaged 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Wolverines (8-4) and had 25 points in a semifinal win over Geneva.
Rice went over 1,000 career points in the PAC title game.
All-PAC teams
Women
First team
Jess Bowen, Sr., G, Grove City (North Hills)
Carlee Kilgus, Sr., G, Saint Vincent (South Fayette)
Jenna Lafko, Sr., G, Saint Vincent (Hampton)
Maria Lawhorne, Sr., F, Washington & Jefferson (Plum)
Alie Seto, Sr., F, Washington & Jefferson (Brownsville)
Full teams here
Men
First team
Isaiah Alonzo, Jr., F Waynesburg
Justice Rice, Sr., G, Grove City (Monessen)
Daniel Ritter, Sr., G, Westminster
Isaac Stamatiades, Sr., F, Westminster
Lyle Tipton, Geneva, So., G/F
Full teams here
