By:

Antonio Rossetti

Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 8:49 PM

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The Cheswick Christian Academy boys basketball team defeated Pittsburgh Christian Academy, 42-39, on Saturday at a packed Steve Warden Gymnasium to take home its first SWCAC title since 2015.

Grant Rochkind, the league MVP, finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for Cheswick Christian.

The game featured eight lead changes. Pittsburgh Christian, in its second season, took a 26-25 lead in the third quarter.

But the Chargers responded with an 11-0 run, which was fueled by Joseph Rosio, who knocked down a 3-pointer. A layup from Sean Louis put Cheswick up 36-26, but the River Hawks rallied with an 11-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from Aaron Powers to give Pittsburgh Christian a 37-36 lead.

The Chargers got their first points in the fourth quarter when Grant Rochkind was fouled and made both free throws with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining to make it 38-37. Powers fouled out on the play.

Tim Nicklas then drove for a layup to give Pittsburgh Christian back a 39-38 lead.

Then came the biggest play of the game. Rochkind was forced left on an isolation and hit a fadeaway for a 40-39 lead.

“I knew we had to get a bucket,” Rochkind said. “I knew if we were going out, I had to take my best shot at it and it went in.”

The Chargers forced a stop, and after reaching the bonus, Brian Kazmer hit both free throws to go up 42-39.

The River Hawks chucked up a final shot as time expired, but it went long.

“The crowd was electric,” Rochkind said. “It was amazing tonight. I love their support. They’re great.”

Rosio, who scored 14 points and buried three 3s, marveled at his teammate.

“He’s clutch, man,” Rosio said of Rochkind. “That’s the reason he’s MVP.”

Rosio contributed several key baskets, including an and-one 3 early in the game to energize the crowd.

“Joseph man, he’s a sniper,” Rochkind said. “He’s great. He’s been huge for us all year, and it continued tonight.”

Rosio also appreciated the atmosphere.

“I love these fans man,” Rosio said. “I love this crowd.”

“My team puts that trust in me. They trust me to get the ball. They trust me to knock down those shots, and I do my best to knock them down.”

Kazmer said the team is peaking at the right time.

“I’m super proud of the team,” Kazmer said. “We’ve been playing good defense all year. Our offense has been getting better and better as we went on. Playing WPIAL teams made us better as a team. Our team chemistry, we’ve been playing since middle school, so it’s just through the roof.”

Pittsburgh Christian dominated much of the fourth quarter until Cheswick Christian’s late rally.

“They worked really hard, and they had a goal to get here,” River Hawks coach Chadd Schafer said of his team. “Obviously we wanted to win, but we’re really proud of how they played. They battled a lot of things this season. I’m super proud of them.”

Nicklas finished with 15 points and four rebounds, and Powers had 12 points and five rebounds.

Tags: Cheswick Christian