Teegan Finucan leads Knoch boys basketball to win over North Catholic: ‘We’ve been waiting for this’
CRANBERRY TWP — It is often said that high school athletes have short memories, but Teegan Finucan remembers well his visit to North Catholic High School last February.
Knoch’s current senior guard and his teammates were on the short end of a 54-53 boys basketball decision that night.
But Friday, the Knights forced the disappointment on the Trojans, employing a zone defense that frustrated the hosts as Knoch earned a 65-56 victory.
“We’ve been waiting for this night for a year,” said Finucan, who scored a team-high 25 points. “This win is meaningful, but expected. We demand excellence from ourselves. Whether or not we get it, we demand it.”
North (9-4, 3-1) has scored at least 80 points in seven games this season. Following a 20-point first quarter, it was on pace to make it eight, but the Knights forced the Trojans into 11-of-39 shooting (28%) over the final three periods.
“Knoch is a strong team, but we have to be able to still play our game against a zone,” said North guard Jason Fredericks, who led all scorers with 26 points.
Fredericks was fouled from 3-point range with under a second left in the third period, and proceeded to make all three shots from the free throw line to cut Knoch’s lead to 53-47.
Knoch (11-2, 5-0) retained its lead well into the fourth quarter, but the Trojans took possession on a steal from Brady Trout with 3:18 left and down just 57-53.
It could have been the spark North needed, but its often-lethal outside shooting went cold as the Trojans misfired on six of their final seven attempts from beyond the arc.
“We knew that controlling the tempo was going to be key,” Knoch coach Joe Lafko said. “North Catholic likes to play at a fast pace, drive and kick it out for a lot of perimeter shots. Sometimes, the tendency is to play that way against them — go, go, go. But that’s not our game.
“Everybody on the court for us tonight did a great job defensively, and it allowed us to play in the half court for much of the game.”
Vinnie DeFelice scored 14 points for the Knights, Liam Avon added 10.
Jude Rottmann chipped in 11 points for the Trojans.
“They got us tonight, but we’ll get another shot at them,” Fredericks said.
That will come Feb. 3 when the Section 1-4A foes meet at Knoch.
KNOCH 65
Derek Lang 2 3-4 7, Roman DeFelice 3 3-4 9, Teegan Finucan 6 12-15 25, Liam Avon 5 0-0 10, Vinnie DeFelice 7 0-1 14, Jackson McCool 0 0-0 0, Evan Fink 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 18-24 65.
NORTH CATHOLIC 56
Jude Rottmann 4 0-0 11, Brady Trout 2 0-0 5, Jason Fredericks 8 5-7 26, Brandon Pickett 3 3-3 9, Jake Olkowski 1 1-2 4, Colin Campbell 0 1-2 1, Tom Rottmann 0 0-0 0, Tom Arth 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 10-14 56.
Knoch 17 16 20 12 — 65
North Catholic 20 11 16 9 — 56
3-point goals: Knoch 1 (Finucan); North Catholic 10 (Fredericks 5, J.Rottmann 3, Trout, Olkowski).
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The North Catholic student section cheers after a play in a boys basketball game against Knoch Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Knoch head coach Joe Lafko watches from the sidelines in a boys basketball game against North Catholic Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Jason Fredericks (5) moves the ball up the court in a boys basketball game against Knoch Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Brandon Pickett (10) dribbles the ball in a boys basketball game against Knoch Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Jake Olkowski (14) guards Knoch's Roman DeFelice (13) in a boys basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Members of the North Catholic student section watch the final seconds of the game against Knoch Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Brandon Pickett (10) makes a three-point attempt in a boys basketball game against Knoch Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Knoch guard Roman DeFelice (13) attempts a three-point shot in a boys basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Knoch students section runs onto the court to celebrate with the team after there victory over North Catholic in a boys basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Knoch forward Liam Avon (24) reacts to the ball falling out of bounds in a boys basketball game against North Catholic Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Knoch forward Liam Avon (24) is helped off the floor by a teammate in a boys basketball game against North Catholic Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Jason Fredericks (5) prepares for a free throw attempt in a boys basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at North Catholic High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
