CRANBERRY TWP — Keith Wells didn't feel many positive vibes as he walked around Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's hallways Tuesday during the school day.

People wished him good luck, but few had high hopes for the Trojans versus Quad-A basketball power Gateway Tuesday.

That left the junior forward beaming in the hallway after North Catholic erased a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Gators, 71-69.

Wells scored the game-winning basket with 3 seconds left, putting back a missed layup by Vince LeGrande.

“During school, people said I hope you have a good game, but I don't think you're going to win,” Wells said. “We just stayed together as a team and said 'Let's fight this out and prove everyone wrong.'”

How Class A North Catholic performed last weekend — losing its first two games to Class AAA Mars and Quad-A Penn Hills by a combined 55 points — led to the skepticism.

Senior guard Timon Gribbin said Trojans coach Dave Long challenged everyone before the game to turn the season around and write their own story.

“The first two games were really rough. We didn't play as a team at all,” said Gribbin, who finished with 13 points. “As a team, we all gathered together. Four or five kids came off the bench and contributed well.”

The Trojans' bench contributed 18 points, including 10 from Wells.

Wells, was one of four North Catholic players — Tristan Newcamp (14 points), LeGrande (13) and Gribbin — to finish in double figures.

Their performances helped North Catholic christen its new gym with a win.

“I think we've come around the bend a little bit. I'm not going to throw a party because we have a long road to go,” Long said. “I hope this isn't a fluke. I hope this is the standard and that we're going to come out and compete better than we did this past weekend.”

It was a tough loss for the previously undefeated Gators. Gateway was ahead by 10 with 3:30 left and by seven points, 67-60, with two minutes left.

The Gators, who trailed 42-35 at halftime, took the lead with 5:45 remaining on a 3-pointer by Frank Bozicevic.

Bozicevic led the Gators with a team-high 22 points. Daylong Harris finished with 12.

“They have to learn how to win tough games versus solid, smart teams,” first-year Gators coach Daryn Freeman said. “They fought back and showed what I asked for, which is working hard.”

North Catholic was behind 69-65 with 40 seconds left after Harris made a layup.

The Trojans drew closer when LeGrande, who finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, made a jumper.

The ensuing inbounds hit Wells in the shoulder and he held on for the steal.

Gribbin made two free throws to tie the game.

Gateway turned the ball over again on the next inbounds pass.

After a timeout, LeGrande attempted a layup with four seconds left and it rolled off the rim. Wells was there to loft it in.

“I'm thinking it's a late clock and we need a point to win the game,” Wells said. “So I just had to get the put back.”

Gateway turned the ball over on the following inbounds pass to seal the Trojans' win.

That helped the Trojans meet Long's challenge and write their own story.

“I think this definitely changes things up,” Gribbin said. “Against a Quad-A team, this is a big win.”

GATEWAY 69

Daylon Harris 3 6-8 12, Frank Bozicevic 8 0-0 22, Aiden Howard 0 2-4 2, Arrington Johns 2 3-6 7, John Paul Kromka 2 1-2 5, David Wilson 1 0-0 3, James Kromka 1 0-0 2, Elijah Horner 2 0-0 4, Clayton Nola 3 0-0 8, Etholian Vennie 0 0-0 0, Darrell Brock 1 0-0 2, Harvey Hicks 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 12-20 69.

NORTH CATHOLIC 71

Tom Braun 1 1-2 4, Timon Gribbin 3 5-8 13, Vince LeGrande 6 2-2 14, Tristan Newcamp 5 3-4 14, Chris Goetz 3 0-0 8, Mantsch 0 0-0 0, Ray Stroud 1 2-4 4, Keith Wells 5 0-0 10, Isaiah Harvin 1 0-0 2. Totals: 25 13-20 71.

Gateway 20 15 14 20 — 69

North Catholic15 27 7 22 — 71

3-point goals: Gateway 7 (Bozicevic 4, Nola 2, Wilson); North Catholic 5 (Gribbin 2, Braun, Newcamp, Goetz)

JV: Gateway 62-53

Friday: St. Joseph at North Catholic