No one can remember the last time Charleroi Area High’s boys basketball team won its own holiday tournament. If the Cougars hope to do it in today’s 9 p.m. title game against Albert Gallatin, they’re going to have to stop the Colonials’ 6-8 junior Jawaan Alston. Alston poured in 28 points to lead the Colonials to a convincing 61-37 semifinal victory over California Wednesday. Albert Gallatin (5-5) broke open a 19-14 game by outscoring the Trojans, 35-14, in the next 16 minutes. In two games, Alston has scored 53 points. High for California (6-5) was John McVicker with 10 points. Charleroi advanced to the final with another strong performance from Alex Kirtley. A 6-3 senior, Kirtley poured in a career-high 30 points as the Cougars knocked off previously unbeaten Geibel, 54-46. The Cougars (5-4) coasted after stretching a 17-6 first quarter lead to 35-17 at halftime. Kirtley has 47 points in Charleroi’s two wins. Mike Speelman led the Gators (4-1) with 12 points followed by John Maczko with 10. In the other game, Brownsville snapped a six game losing skid with a 65-61 victory over Frazier. Adam Kezmarsky led the Falcons (3-8) with 26 points with Nick Jellots adding 12. Looking best for the Commodores (2-6) were Greg Johnson and Matt Brown with 25 and 12 points, respectively. Brownsville will play South Park at 6 p.m. followed by Geibel against California at 7:30 p.m.

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