Inside Lehigh Valley Girls Hoops: Going Green

This week, many teams secured district playoff berths, going green in the official power rankings computed by GIMP Software. Let’s take a look at how they got there, and who is still on the journey to getting that district playoff berth achievement unlocked.

Monday, 1/12:

• Bethlehem Catholic closed out the fourth quarter with a 17-1 run to upend Emmaus 50-35 in a game that felt more like a Friday night football game on the gridiron. Emmaus forced 23 turnovers, as both teams played a physical style of defense. Both teams had a 7-2 run in the first quarter, which tied the game at 9-9. Emmaus’ offense then went quiet for the first five minutes of the second frame until Gabby DeVita hit. That bucket broke a 7-0 Hawks run and Becahi led 16-11. Olive Whitney then began to heat up from beyond the arc, banging home two long balls to keep Emmaus within three. Brooklyn Lewis and Whitney exchanged triples to open the third quarter, Emmaus closed out the third period with five straight off of another Whitney 3-pointer and DeVita finish off of a turnover. Emmaus’ defense picked up in the latter stages, forcing turnover after turnover, but after McGinnis put them ahead 34-33, the Hornets scored only one more point over the final 7:11. Ayva Rodande, another outstanding Hawks freshman, dropped in consecutive buckets and Becahi went back up 39-34. Brooklyn Lewis finished the evening with 20 points, while Rodande tacked on 11. Olive Whitney accounted for five 3-pointers for Emmaus and Gabby DeVita scored 13 in defeat. More on this game, including postgame interviews and numerous game videos on our X page: @LSVSports
• The Central Catholic Vikettes shot 47% from the field in a 53-20 victory over the Konkrete Kids. Northampton was held to ten first half points, with only two made field goals. Nine Vikettes hit the scorebook, led by Skylar Taylor’s 12. Shamiya Roberts put in ten and Gianna Menecola put up eight. A 23-6 first quarter and 36-10 first half allowed Central to cruise to their third straight win.
• Blue Mountain got past Pottsville 41-24. At the half, it was 15-12 in favor of the Eagles, before they broke away thanks to 11 points from Hailey Place. She finished with 18 on eight made field goals. The Eagles have won four of their last five and evened their record up at 7-7 approaching districts.
• Lehighton survived a scare from Catasauqua, edging the Roughs 46-42 to stay unbeaten and move to 14-0. Olivia Serfass(16), Leah Uyvari(9) and Ryleigh Trotman(12) provided the balanced scoring necessary to combat and overcome a 26-point outing from Hailey Jenkins. The Indians won the third quarter 11-5 to get ahead by just enough to hold on for the win.
• In a battle up North, Pocono Mountain East squeaked by East Stroudsburg North in a nail-biter 51-50. The defining statistic of this game was that the Timberwolves went 17/43 on free throws. Freshman Nylah Stewart fouled out of the game with a game-high 11 points. Ava Watson and Molly Gafner eached added nine. Ten Cardinals scored and the loss kept ES North winless on the season.
• East Stroudsburg South picked up its third win of the year, getting past Pleasant Valley 44-32. Multiple scoring threats was the key for the Cavaliers, as they put up 27 in the first half but no player had more than eight points. Nolah McAllister had those eight in the first half and the sophomore finished with ten. Fellow sophomore Kiara King had 13. Five different players hit from beyond the arc.
• Dieruff extended its winning streak to five by dispatching of Freedom 67-31. Jayla Rosario, Aniya Holder and Justyce McChristian all hit double figures, combining for 48 points The Patriots were held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Sara Kokolus led them with 12 points. Dieruff now prepares for a home test against Parkland on Thursday night.
• Saucon Valley picked up its fourth straight win, skating by Jim Thorpe 45-26. Sierra Skoda notched a 20-point game, putting up nine of her team’s eleven points in the first quarter to build an 11-2 lead. Maggie Gorman got eight of her 13 in the second quarter. The Panthers improved to 6-8 as they look to get back into the 4A district playoff race.
• Nazareth made it six straight wins and their 11th overall, rolling over Whitehall 54-28. A dominant 21-2 third quarter was the difference in what had been a competitive game to that point. Alexa Davis led all scorers with 21, while Carly Leszcynski contributed 11. The two combined to hit all four triples for the Blue Eagles. Nazareth moved up into the third spot in the DXI 6A power rankings, while the loss dealt a big blow to Whitehall’s EPC tournament hopes.
• North Schuylkill did not score in their fourth quarter against Panther Valley. But they didn’t need to, as they had already amassed 53 points and went on to win 53-30. Mya Conti led the Spartans with a 24 point performance, putting up 16 of those in the first half. Ella Digris led her squad with three triples for a nine point evening. North Schuylkill has locked up a district playoff berth and is battling Tamaqua for a home first round game, where the two could meet again.
• Northern Lehigh saw a 38-30 lead slip by the wayside, as Southern Lehigh narrowly defended their home court 48-46. The win was the seventh in eight games for the Spartans. Eliana Marques put up 22 and Elena Druck had ten, which combated a 28 point output from Tegan Simms in her first game since reaching the 1,000 point career milestone. Marques hit twice from downtown in an 18 point fourth quarter that also saw the Spartans go a perfect 8/8 on free throws. By contrast, the Bulldogs were 2/7 at the charity stripe.
• Natalie Conner was a 3-pointer machine in Northwestern Lehigh’s 53-13 rout of Palisades. She banged home six in the first half and seven for the game, which added up to a 25-point performance. Emma Freeman hit three more and the Tigers as a team knocked down 11 from distance.
• Notre Dame Green Pond had no trouble with Pen Argyl, racing out to a 29-7 halftime lead and 49-27 victory on the road. Ava Hobbie led the way with 14 points, followed closely by Ava Shonk’s 13. The victory keeps the Crusaders in the top spot of the 3A power rankings, staving off Executive Education for the time being.
• Two treys by Cate Morgan helped give Palmerton a 19-12 halftime lead at Salisbury in a 36-26 win. Morgan finished with 16 points and three triples. Emma Rex added eight and six of those came in the first half. Kendra Morgan led the Falcons with ine points.
• Pocono Mountain West defeated Stroudsburg 50-41. The game was decided with a 10-1 margin in overtime. Emma Campusano scored four points in the extra session. Alexa Campusano scored one of her two buckets of the evening in overtime, as well. The two teams combined to go 16/45 from the free throw line. Emma led the Panthers with 14 and Michaela Smith threw down ten. The victory snapped a seven game skid for PM West.
• Schuylkill Haven denied Tamaqua a playoff berth clinching victory, by winning 39-35. Tamaqua held a one point edge entering the fourth quarter, but was outdone 18-13 in the final frame. McKena Runkle led all scorers with 19 points and Aubrey Hutchinson poured in ten. In the loss, Kendle Miller led Tamaqua with 15 and hit three 3-pointers. Lauren Ligenza had seven points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
• Bangor kept Moravian winless on the year, winning 33-16. Kaylynn Figurski led the Slaters with nine points. Six points each came from Grace Hartzell, Maci Maniano and Jackelin Miller. Moravian was led by Ellie Criscuolo, who banged home four 3-pointers for 12 points.

Tuesday, 1/13:

• Easton outlasted Parkland on the road 43-33. Free throw shooting, especially down the stretch was a huge difference. Easton finished 19/20, while Parkland was 5/13. Gabby Wismer went 10/10 from the line as part of her 14 point night. The game was physical all night long. Melina Cole had 11 points and a bloodied nose by game’s end. Cheryllana Cunningham led the Trojans with nine points and Aneri McGalla had eight. Find more on this game on our X, complete with numerous game videos and postgame interviews: @LSVSports
• Hailey Jenkins scored 12 of her game high 20 points in the first half of Catasauqua’s 47-33 win over Northern Lehigh. Kaylin Stewart added 16 points, ten of which came in the second half. Tegan Simms appeared that she would have another big game for the Bulldogs, scoring eight in the first quarter, but she was held to only one more point for the remainder of the game. The victory moved the Roughs to 9-4 and the third spot in the 3A power rankings.
• Northwestern Lehigh knocked down eight 3-balls in a 65-19 rout of Jim Thorpe. Natalie Conner led all scorers with 17. She joined Lillian Berhnard and Emma Freeman in each hitting twice from downtown. Olivia Reinhart had a strong opening quarter, scoring eight of her 11. This was the fourth win in a row for the Tigers who are now 13-3.
• Lehighton’s 41-29 victory over Saucon Valley moved them to 15-0 on the season, setting up a Friday night showdown with Northwestern Lehigh and Saturday matchup against Tamaqua. Olivia Serfass led the Indians with 12 points and Leah Uyvari had 11. Ryleigh Trotman and Ava Serfass had nine apiece. Lehighton won the fourth quarter 11-4 to pull away from what had been a tight battle most of the night. The loss ended a four game winnin streak for the Panthers.
• The Spartans of Southern Lehigh made it eight wins in their last nine, taking it to Moravian Academy 49-16. Eliana Marques scored 15 and Sam Fontanez put up 14, all as part of a 40 point first half. At 9-6, the Spartans are now two wins from clinching a 5A playoff berth.
• Notre Dame Green Pond continued its winning ways, moving past Salisbury 46-36. By halftime, the Crusaders built a 27-13 lead, spurred by big contributions from Brenna Hammerstone and Ava Hobbie. Hammerstone put up 13 in the first half and Hobbie had seven in the first quarter. Ava Shonk kept the lead at a safe one by adding seven of her ten points in the second half. In the loss, Kendra Morgan had 14 points and ten more went to Roxana Cardenas.
• Hailey Barry notched a career high 25 points in Palmerton’s 52-5 domination of Palisades. In the game, the Blue Bombers lived up to their name, dropping ten triples on the Pirates. Six of those went to Barry, while her sister Avery hit three more in her nine point game. Palmerton improved its record to 12-4 and has now won four in a row.

Wednesday, 1/14:

• Bangor bested East Stroudsburg North 46-16. Kaylynn Figurski scored 13 points, joined by Grace Hartzell who had ten. The Slaters outrebounded the Timberwolves 30-19 and despite going 0/8 from distance, managed to sink 21 field goals. Bangor has now won five of its last eight games and ES North remains winless on the season.
• Wilson Area kept Pen Argyl in a state of freefall, defeating the Green Knights 51-41. The sisters Bonham accounted for 40 points on the night–Julie with 23 and Tessa with 17. They were a combined 14/17 on free throws. The Warriors trailed 7-6 after a quarter, but got to work in the second, getting ahead 25-23 at the half. The team was a collective 11/11 on free throws in the second half, holding Pen Argyl at bay. Pen Argyl is now 7-8 after beginning the year 7-1. Wilson moved to 9-5, two wins shy of a district berth.
• Executive Education had no trouble getting by Marian Catholic, 58-34. Kendall Medina led all Raptors with 13 points and Nia Bush threw down 12. Khloe Madison had 11 providing the balanced scoring effort that the Raptors were looking for. The Raptors moved to 8-2, three wins shy of districts.

Thursday, 1/15:

• Central Catholic handed William Allen a 51-20 loss, securing a fourth straight win and district playoff berth. Alyssa Hursh led the way with 14 points, followed by Morgan Seagreaves’ 11. Skylar Taylor added eight. The Vikettes are now 8-9 and prepare for a Tuesday night showdown with Emmaus at Rockne Hall.
• Nineteen second half points from McKenna Runkle gave her 23 for the night and lifted Schuylkill Haven past Blue Mountain 51-41. At the half, the Eagles led 22-18, but a 33-19 second half lifted the Hurricanes. Runkle hit two triples in the third quarter and six of her eight free throws in the fourth. The victory gave the Hurricanes their eleventh victory, qualifying them for districts.
• Hailey Jenkins scored 19 first half points in Catasauqua’s 61-13 rout of Moravian. Kaylin Stewart, just a sophomore, had 16 more in another excellent productive outing. The Rough Riders shot 49% from the field and 50% on 2-point field goals. The victory sets up a good one at Founders Hall Monday night when Catty meets Executive Education.
• To say Easton flexed their muscle against East Stroudsburg North would be an understatement. The Red Rovers dropped a 100 point weight on the Timberwolves, as four players reached double figures. Melina Cole led the way with 20, followed by Eva Jordan’s 16, 15 from Gabby Wismer and ten from Ryleigh Swenson. Easton put up 30 in the first quarter and 38 in the second, while giving up just three points in the second half for the 100-11 win. Easton is next in action against Northampton on Tuesday night, as they try to hold on to the top seed in the 6A power rankings and in the EPC standings.
• Ava Kopetskie was in usual form against East Stroudsburg South, dropping four triples and stacking up 19 points in Liberty’s 60-22 win over the Cavaliers. DeLaney Foster had 11 points for the Hurricanes, who got a total of nine girls into the scoring column. Liberty is now two wins shy of securing a district playoff berth and will go to Bethlehem Catholic Tuesday night.
• Emmaus had no trouble in their trip to Whitehall one day before traveling to state powerhouse Hazleton. The Green Hornets piled up a 30-8 first half on their way to a 54-17 drubbing of the Zephyrs. Six 3-pointers went in for Emmaus, with three of those belonging to Sierra Stevens. Stevens put up 11 points, trailing only Gabby DeVita’s 13. Eva Glover and Olive Whitney both notched six point efforts and Gracie Ervin tacked on four. Corynn Troxell led Whitehall with six points.
• Palmerton made it five wins in a row, traveling to Lehigh Valley Academy Charter for a 58-32 win. Avery Barry continued to impress, slamming home six triples for an 18 point night, marking a new career high for the freshman. Cate Morgan and Alisyn Green had 11 each; Hailey Barry added two treys and eight points overall. The Blue Bombers now prepare for a Wednesday night showdown at home against Lehighton.
• Aniya Holder’s three 3-balls in the fourth quarter nearly led the charge in a Dieruff comeback at Parkland, but the Lady Trojans emerged victorious 44-39 after building a 38-23 lead late. Cheryllana Cunningham and Bella Hallal were the big point getters, with 14 and ten respectively, but the 15-2 first quarter was probably the most important for the Trojans, allowing some cushion for the late rally by the Huskies. Holder had 17 in a defeat that snapped Dieruff’s five game winning streak. The two will meet again in February and if districts started today, they would meet again in a first round playoff game.
• Minersville picked up just its second win of the year, dealing a significant blow to Panther Valley’s playoff hopes with a 52-41 upset victory. Junior guards Jenna Cullen and Alayna Boom certainly put the boom in the Miners’ offense, combining for 36 points. Cullen had eight in the third quarter and Boom added five, as part of the 17-6 frame that turned the game on its head. Ace Aponte had 17 and Morgan Orsulak added ten in defeat.
• Nazareth kept pace in the top four of district XI 6A power rankings, taking care of business against Pocono Mountain West 65-25. Alexa Davis put up 17 and Karly Leszcynski added 11. Leszcynski got nine of her points in a 24 point third quarter. The Blue Eagles will look for their 8th straight win when they travel to Freedom on Tuesday.
• Kendra Morgan nearly notched a new career high, coming away with 26 points in Salisbury’s 64-32 triumph against Notre Dame East Stroudsburg. The Falcons used only one 3-pointer to go with 25 buckets from inside the arc to relentless pound their opponent. After a 6-2 start to the year, the sorely needed win snapped a seven game losing streak. Roxana Cardenas added 12 points and 11 more came from Shahd Suleiman.
• Tamaqua put together its sixth win in seven outings, moving past Pottsville 37-23. Every field goal for the Crimson Tide was a 3-pointer, as they knocked down five of them. The Blue Raiders were led by the efforts of Millie Black, Lauren Ligenza and Kendle Miller. Black and Miller led all scorers with 14 points, putting up yet another double double with 12 rebounds. Ligenza pulled down ten boards.

Friday, 1/16:

• Southern Lehigh made it nine wins in ten games, but just barely. The Spartans survived a defensive struggle with Bangor, coming out victorious 22-19. Despite going 2/8 in the fourth quarter from the charity stripe, a triple by Rowan Adams, along with buckets by Sam Fontanez and Lydia Bartlet were enough to squeak by. The Spartans were also without the services of Eliana Marques, who has put up double figures in nearly every game she’s played this season. In the loss, Kaylynn Figurski scored ten, all in the second half.
• Emmaus took one on the chin on the road at state power Hazleton, 77-34. The constant press and defensive efforts of the Cougars resulted in just four second half Hornets points. Kaitlyn Bindas led Hazleton with 22 points, one of four to reach the double digit mark. Olive Whitney knocked down three 3-pointers for nine points. Gabby DeVita had 12. The loss dropped Emmaus to 12-4 on the year. They will go to Rockne Hall to try and rebound against Central Catholic.
• Lehighton entered a meaty part of their schedule and finally met their match in Northwestern Lehigh. The Tigers handed the Indians their first loss of the season 51-49 in overtime on a Natalie Conner runner in the lane just before time expired. Natalie ended the night with 19, while Mallory Conner added 12. Those efforts helped offset 14 each from Ryleigh Trotman and Olivia Serfass, along with 12 from Leah Uyvari. Two free throws from Uyvari were the only points of the extra four minutes for the Indians, who will now face Palmerton on Wednesday.
• Saucon Valley inched closer to a district playoff berth by winning its fifth of six games. Sierra Skoda scored 25 points and hit on eight free throws in overtime, as the Panthers edged Northern Lehigh 52-44. In the loss, Tegan Simms exploded for 27 points; seven triples marked her night, including the only six points of overtime for her team. Overall, the Bulldogs hit 12 times from deep, but Saucon went 16/20 on free throws versus just 4/4 for Nolehi. The loss was the third straight for the Bulldogs, while Saucon improved to 7-9. Both teams are on the verge of just making or missing districts.
• Notre Dame Green Pond cruised by Palisades 48-12, rolling out to a 31-4 halftime lead. Ava Hobbie was the only Crusader to reach double digits at ten points, followed by nine from RIley Boyle, eight by Brenna Hammerstone, and seven each for Ella Schweitzer and Brianna Beani. NDGP remains atop the 3A power rankings, maintaining a slim lead over Schuylkill Haven.
• Wilson Area moved within one victory of a district berth, dispatching of Salisbury 47-30. Julie Bonham scored 12, joined closely by sister Tessa with eight. Seven points each came from Katherine Colon, Kiera Hartzell-Ham and Emma Dalpe(who hit two more triples). In the loss, Kendra Morgan scored 20 of the Falcons’ points.

Saturday, 1/17:

Find our coverage of the GOAT Challenge at Bethlehem Catholic on our X and IG accounts–complete with highlights from all eight games! There are also articles from Bethlehem Catholic’s games on our site!

• Panther Valley blasted Jim Thorpe 50-16, winning just their second game in the last seven. Morgan Orsulak continued to add to her impressive Panthers career with 20 more points. Lucy Kocha put up 17 and Ace Aponte contributed eight. The two teams combined to go 10/36 from the free throw line.

Sunday, 1/18:

• Executive Education carried a 34-32 lead over Columbia to the fourth quarter before falling to Columbia 42-39. The Raptors still nearly pulled off the victory despite being without the services of Ashley Hunter-Ali and Mariyah Hargrove. Kendall Medina carried the majority of the workload, scoring 21 points and hitting four times from downtown.