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Saturday, April 12, 2025, TRIB-LIVE
Bella Urso enjoyed her final trip around the high school basketball circuit.
The Fox Chapel senior scored nine points, including seven in the second half, to help the West team beat the East team 66-60 in the 28th annual Alle-Kiski Cager Classic on April 5 at Highlands High School.
Urso also participated in the skills competition
“It was fun to represent the school,” Urso said. “I played with a lot of the girls that I grew up competing against. I hadn’t played with any of them before.”
The West team fell behind by six points early but eventually was able to rally by using its speed. The West team didn’t have any players who were 6-foot or taller, while the East had three.
It was a physical contest that saw both teams hit the floor trying to retain possession and hold onto loose balls. West coach Dana Pestruska said she was impressed with the team’s overall effort.
“Those types of kids, for me personally, I love coaching because there are no excuses either,” Petruska said. “It says a lot about the programs that they are coached well and how well they sacrificed.”
In the second half, the West team pulled away by making clutch 3-pointers. St. Joseph’s Gia Richter, the eventual MVP, knocked down two right after halftime to stretch the lead out.
Urso made her 3-pointer in the second half as well.
The night before the all-star game, Urso was happy to compete in the skills competition. She teamed with Mars’ Drew Navette, who was the West’s MVP in the all-star game, for the co-ed hot shots competition.
“I really enjoyed that,” Urso said. “I just wanted to have fun. Before the co-ed hot shots competition, we came up with a strategy for how to compete.”
Urso, who helped Fox Chapel return to the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs this winter, will have a busy schedule when she heads to Franciscan University in the fall. She is planning to play soccer and basketball.
“I’m excited to go to school there because it is a Catholic school and I want to deepen my faith,” Urso said.