Timothy Pugh is a soccer star and straight-A student who is class valedictorian at Allderdice, where he's a can't-miss kid.
Pugh also stands out on the basketball court, where the 6-foot-9, 195-pound senior center is the X-factor to Allderdice's PIAA championship hopes.
That was never more evident than Wednesday night, when Pugh had five points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots in the Dragons' 75-60 victory over WPIAL champion Pine-Richland in the PIAA Class AAAA second round before a standing-room, sellout crowd at Bethel Park.
“If we can have Tim block shots, get rebounds, finish and make free throws,” Allderdice point guard Ramon Creighton said, “we will win the state championship.”
That's a bold statement to make about a guy who didn't even play in the PIAA playoffs last year.
Which is why Creighton made it. Pugh broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg late last season and missed Allderdice's run to the state semifinals.
“It was rough. I wanted to be out there, to help the team,” Pugh said. “I did the most I could to make sure their heads were right. I did all I could from the bench.”
But all Pugh could do was watch as Martin Luther King dominated inside to end a dream season for the 'Dice.
That's why the Dragons believe Pugh is the missing piece to the puzzle.
They start 6-5 senior Jordan Rawls and bring 6-4 jumping bean Dajuan Dugger off the bench. Their length helps offset the loss of Lamone Dixon Jr., a physical 6-3 senior forward who is out with a broken wrist.
Not only does the 'Dice depend on Pugh for blocking and altering shots but also for rebounding. His presence allows their guards to bait opponents into passes they can steal.
“We allow James, Tim and Ramon to gamble out front,” Pugh said. “We've got their backs.”
Pugh made some big plays in the third quarter, when Allderdice took over. He rebounded a miss and fed Tim Jackson for the go-ahead points then blocked a shot on a backdoor cut. Pugh rebounded another miss and made two free throws for a 41-35 lead, one the 'Dice didn't surrender.
“That hurt us,” Pine-Richland coach Jeff Ackermann said. “It's hard when you drive in there, and he just has to stand there — he doesn't even have to jump — and can alter or block shots.”
Allderdice coach Buddy Valinsky also sees the benefit of having a 6-9 center to break the press, especially a center-midfielder who makes good decisions on outlet passes.
“Tim is an excellent passer,” Valinsky said. “He holds the ball up and, because of his soccer skills, knows what to do with it.”
What Pugh doesn't know is which is his favorite sport now. He's too busy enjoying this playoff run.
“I used to think soccer was, but I'm having so much fun this season that I'm reconsidering,” he said. “I don't know if I'll ever have a sellout arena to play in front of again. Hopefully, we have three more.”
If they do, it might be because of Pugh.
Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at kgorman@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KGorman_Trib.
