GBB State Previews: Round 1

Class A

Phil-Mont Christian(12-11 32ppg; 33ppg allowed) at Bethlehem Christian(21-3 43ppg; ), 3/7 1:00 at Liberty

Key Players: BCS – Abby Wilson(13.7ppg); Paige Kreidler(7.5ppg); Elyse Khachadourian(6.3ppg)

Phil-Mont Chrisitian enters the state playoffs coming from the Bicentennial conference in District 1. Information on PMC was hard to come by, but the team has lost two of its last three games entering the road game at Bethlehem Christian, falling 59-18 to Sacred Heart Academy and 49-23 to Renaissance Academy. The Falcons allow more points than they score on average and will have their hands full with a Panthers squad that doesn’t give up much of anything this year. For Bethlehem Christian, they enter states after a 28-18 district title win over Weatherly. Paige Kreidler was big in that game, scoring the first eight points for her team and 12 overall, nearly double her average. The Panthers average 15 offensive boards per game and 12 steals, making them a frequent threat on the offensive end for second and third chance points. While Bethlehem Christian may not be known for dropping a deluge of 3-pointers on opponents, Wilson, Kreidler, and Kachadourian have combined to make 87 of them on the year. The Panthers shoot a combined 63% at the foul line, as well.

Weatherly(8-16 23ppg; 40ppg allowed) v Motivation(10-5 38ppg; 34ppg allowed), 3/7 12:00 at Abraham Lincoln HS

Key Players: Wea – Kelly Reiner; Maci Kane

Mot – Joyce Cassell; Joy Cassell; Kynaj Tindell

The Wreckers enter the state tournament following a 28-18 loss to Bethlehem Christian for the DXI class A title. The duo of Kelly Reiner(Sr) and Maci Kane(Fr) combine for roughly 15 points per game and are both capable of going off. Despite the low points per game average, when they win, they always score in the 30s or 40s. Motivation, however, has a stud who scores almost as much as the Wreckers do per game–Joyce Cassell averages 22 points per game. Her sister, Joy, averages nine a game. The pair of seniors are joined by a rebounding threat in Kynai Tindell, who brings down six boards per contest. The Wreckers will need to keep pace with this Jaguars squad and shut at least one of the Cassells down to bring a win back from Philadelphia.

Class AA

Marian Catholic(14-11 43ppg; 37ppg allowed) vs Vaux Big Picture(10-7 37ppg; 34ppg allowed), 3/6 6:00 at Philadelphia Girls’ HS

Key Players: Mar – Addy Marek(16.1ppg 10.6rpg); DeAnna Pugh(11.3ppg); Haley Minzola(5.7ppg 6.1rpg)

Vaux – Princess Downs(10.2ppg); Valerie Sams(9.2ppg 8.2rpg); A’Niyiah Reed(8.7ppg 13.4rpg)

Despite a tumultuous offseason, including the departure of Damian and Kim Fritz as the head and assistant coach for the Fillies and the departure of Addison Fritz and transfer of the Serfass sisters to Lehighton, Marian Catholic is right back where it was a year ago: in the state playoffs. Addy Marek, a sophomore, now leads the Fillies with her 16 points per game and 11 rebounds per contest. Marian Catholic’s roster features no seniors and only eight underclassmen. Deanna Pugh was with the program last year and remains a top performer. She averages nearly 4 steals per game to go with her point production. Vaux Big Picture enters states as perhaps the youngest team in the field, led by all freshmen and sophomores. Princess Downs is a sophomore, as is A’Niyiah Reed. Valerie Sams is just a freshman. The Cougars also bring a ton of speed to their game; bot Sams and Zaniyah Warren average nearly seven steals per game, while Reed averages four steals and five blocks per match. Averaging 20 offensive boards and 20 steals per game, Vaux should not be taken lightly in the least.

Southern Columbia(12-13 39ppg; 41ppg allowed) at WIlliams Valley(18-6 43ppg; 26ppg allowed), 3/6 7:00

Key Players: SoCo – Kailee Helwig(14.8ppg; 4.9rpg); Olivia Jones(10.4ppg; 5.5rpg); Macie Swank(8.2ppg)

WV – Presley Shomper(Fr); Ella Kobularik(); Ireland Kasper()

Williams Valley enters states as the DXI 2A champion, having passed by Shenandoah Valley and Marian Catholic for the second straight year. Presley Shomper, just a freshman, paced the Vikings with 11 points in their 51-29 win over the Fillies. Ella Kobularik is a rebounding leader, and Ireland Kasper is also a threat from outside, having knocked down triples against Marian. Those district playoff wins avenged regular season losses. Southern Columbia is the second place team from District 4, with a misleading 12-13 record. All but two games were played against 3A or 4A opponents, amounting to some losses, but being battle tested. Kailee Helwig is a stud sophomore leading the squad, with nearly 15 points per game and five rebounds. Olivia Jones is also averaging in double figures and Macie Swank isn’t far behind, so this Tigers team could put up points in gobs if need be. Williams Valley’s defense, though, has only given up more than 30 points in a game eight times.

Class AAA

Philadelphia Academy Charter(10-8 35ppg; 32ppg allowed) at Schuylkill Haven(22-5 46ppg; 36ppg allowed), 3/6, 7:00

Key Players: PAC – Kaitlyn Asher(10.7ppg); Isabelle Hernandez(6.2ppg); Riley Dwyer(5.8ppg); Lauren Crooks(7rpg)

Haven – McKenna Runkle(15.5ppg); Audrey Hutchinson(13ppg); Kiley Siket(8,1ppg)

Schuylkill Haven took Executive Education to the brink after falling behind early in the DXI 3A title game. The loss marked only the third of the year and snapped a 15 game winning streak. The Hurricanes enter their first round home game with a solid core of senior Audrey Hutchinson and two juniors in Kiley Siket and McKenna Runkle. Haven has scored 65 times from beyond the arc compared to 38 3-pointers for PAC. Haven also has a better free throw percentage at 53% to PAC’s 43%. Philadelphia Academy Charter is a young team, bolstered by freshman Kaitlyn Asher’s nearly 11ppg and 5rpg. Offensive boards haven’t been a strength for the Chargers, but they do average 12 steals per game. Isabelle Hernandez is also a freshman, as is Makayla Whiten, who may come off the bench. Dwyer and Crooks are the senior leaders and much of how this game goes will depend on their experience and how the freshmen respond in an unfamiliar environment on the nearly two hour road trip north. The Chargers need to get the offense going, having not scored more than 48 points in a game yet this season, a mark they hit twice. For the home team, early success will be needed to build confidence after being held to 33 in their last contest.

Notre Dame Green Pond(22-6 44ppg; 33ppg allowed) v West Catholic(2-17 37ppg; 56ppg allowed), 3/6 5:00 at West Philadelphia HS

Key Players: NDGP – Ava Shonk(9ppg); Brenna Hammerstone(8.7ppg); Riley Boyle(7ppg)

WC – Ciana Blake(13ppg); Nyliyah Hayes(10ppg); Jessica Canty(9ppg)

Yep. You’re reading that West Catholic has a 2-17 record and asking, “Why the heck are they in this tournament?!” Well, the answer is that they play in the Philly Catholic League, which is full of some of the best talent in the state and nation. The Burrs lost by 15 to Coatesville, by 8 to Fels, by 34 to Archbishop Wood, by 48 to Neumann-Goretti, by 33 to Archbishop Carroll, by 43 to Cardinal O’Hara….you get the idea and the list goes on. The Burrs have not played a game since February 10, so at this point, they’re a complete wildcard going into their contest with NDGP. What we do know, is that when WC played DXI 3A champion Executive, the Raptors beat them 50-31. They are led by All-PCL 3rd Teamer Cianna Blake, who averages 13 points per game. Notre Dame Green Pond is fresh off a consolation victory over Pine Grove, in which Ava Shonk scored 15 and Brenna Hammerstone put up 11. Getting off to a hot start will be key for the Crusaders, especially being the road squad, unlike last year’s first round game they played at Rockne Hall.

Pine Grove(14-11 41ppg; 38ppg allowed) v Imhotep Charter(15-10 57ppg; 47ppg allowed), 3/6 6:00 at Ben Franklin HS

Key Players: PGA – Hollynn Sampson(12ppg); Callee Leffler(8.5ppg); Meadow Umbenhauer(8ppg)

Imh – Geren Hawthorne(12.5ppg; 3STL/g; 3OREB/g); Taylor Linton(16.5ppg); Anai Kanyata(9.5ppg)

The Cardinals’ reward for finishing in fourth place in District XI is a trip to Philly to face powerhouse Imhotep Charter. The Panthers are led by Division I recruit Geren Hawthorne(Sr) and her 12.5ppg. She also accounts for a handful of steals and offensive boards each time out, which the offense often turns into more points. Her most recent offer came from Coppin State. As a Sophomore, Taylor Linton has already surpassed the 1,000 career point mark and is going to be another in a long line of Philadelphia all-star players over the next couple years. The Panthers average nearly six 3-balls per game and nearly 15 steals per contest. Their last three games all came against fellow state playoff contenders in Audenreid(L 64-50), Central(W 52-45), and West Catholic(W 67-28). Pine Grove will need to protect the ball at all costs, lest the Panthers get into a rhythm. Pine Grove will be headed up by Sophomore Hollynn Sampson who scores 12 points per game and pulls down eight boards per game. The Cardinals do average 10 steald and ten offensive rebounds per contest, so they will need to stay at or above those numbers to slow the Panthers down. Callee Leffler(Sr) and Meadow Umbenhauer(Jr) will need to be at the top of their game.

First Philadelphia Prep Charter(6-4 34ppg; 31ppg allowed) at Executive Education(17-7 46ppg; 37ppg allowed), 3/6 7:00

Key Players: FPPC – Courtney Mcgee(10.5ppg); Nylah Baker-Scrubs(5.8ppg); London Tomoney(5ppg)

Exec – Mariah Hargrove(10ppg); Nia Bush(7.1ppg); Aiyana Riddick(4.5ppg)

The Raptors are fresh off their first District XI title in school history, having defeated Schuylkill League champions Schuylkill Haven 39-33. However, the Raptors are most noticeably without the services of Ashley Hunter-Ali and Kendall Medina–the former due to transfer rules and the latter due to a season ending ACL tear suffered late in the regular season. Mariah Hargrove has been called upon to lead the way, along with six other remaining players on the roster, and she has responded. Against Schuylkill Haven and Notre Dame Green Pond in the DXI semis, she had 15 point outings, and in the quarters against Mahanoy Area, she put up 23. Focus also shifts to stalwart Nia Bush and Aiyana Riddick to provide additional scoring and defensive support. Bush gives the Raptors about eight rebounds per game, three of those coming on the offensive glass. First Philadelphia Charter enters this state tournament having only played ten games and has not played since February 4th. Courtney Mcgee leads the way, averaging nearly 11 points per game. First Philadelphia did play another team in the state playoffs, falling to Vaux Big Picture 50-29.

Class AAAA

Palmerton(18-8 44ppg; 35ppg allowed) v Audenreid(22-5 63ppg; 48ppg allowed), 3/7 1:30 at West Philadelphia HS

Key Players: Palm – Emma Rex(8.1ppg), Hailey Barry(8.6ppg), Cate Morgan(10.4ppg)

Aud – Heaven Reese(15.7ppg), Nasiaah Russell(14.9ppg), Iyonna Ellison(9.7ppg), Ashley Boykin(7.7ppg)

The magic number for this one is eight. Eight times, the Audenreid Rockets have scored 70 or more points this season. Add Chloe Kham to the names listed above, and you will account for 55 points per game for what has been nothing short of an impressive offense. On the other hand, Palmerton has crossed the 60 point threshold twice and will need excellent defense to hold the Rockets down. Emma Rex and Alisyn Green combine for 11 boards per game and will need to keep that up to prevent one and done possessions. Avery Barry, younger sister to Hailey, is also emerging as a threat, with nearly six points per game. The Bombers lost one of their best players in Courtney Connell midway through the regular season, but have stayed successful behind the leadership of head coach Jeremy Coleman and the next-player-up mentality. Hailey Barry and Cate Morgan also lead the team in steals and look to limit the Audenreid offense.

Valley View(19-5 53ppg; 37ppg allowed) at Blue Mountain(14-12 41ppg; 39ppg allowed ), 3/7 1:00

Key Players: VV – Cora Castellani(18.8ppg); Ava Gazoo(8.8ppg); Sadie Cardoni(8ppg)

BM -Mila Fleagle(9.5ppg); Hailey Place(9.5ppg); Karley Koch(6.4ppg)

Blue Mountain was the #8 seed in the DXI 4A tournament out of nine. After winning a close contest with #9 Saucon Valley, the Eagles went on to handily defeat top seed Lehighton, then North Schuylkill, and finally fell to Central Catholic in the title game. In that game against North Schuylkill, the team lost one of its top performers in Callie Peel to injury, and she was not available for the championship contest. Valley View brings a 1,000 point scoring junior in Cora Castellani, who also holds the school record for 3-pointers. The Cougars have plenty of other high-level talent in Ava Gazoo, Sadie Cardoni and Mady Minelli, among others. The high-flying offense of the team from District 2 is going to test everything Blue Mountain has and then some. A strong start and tough defense early is the key for the Eagles, just as it was when this team upset other teams ranked ahead of it.

Mifflinburg(39ppg; 38ppg allowed) at Central Catholic(14-10 46ppg; 42ppg allowed), 3/7 1:00

Key Players: Miff – Mia Reibsome(9.1ppg); Parice Shuck(5ppg); Avery Reibsome(7.4ppg)

ACC – Morgan Seagreaves(10.2ppg); Skyler Taylor(8.4ppg); Shamiya Roberts(7.5ppg)

The Mifflinburg Wildcats girls enter the state tournament as the boys team goes to states for the first time ever. Mifflinburg came up second to only undefeated Central Columbia in District 4. The Wildcats only had two wins against teams above the .500 mark in the regular season, but got it done against Jersey Shore in the district semifinals, 43-41. Central Catholic had an up and down regular season. The Vikettes, sans all-star Milly Wolf, lost to graduation, started their season 0-4 and 1-5 before finishing at 11-11. The #7 seed quickly fell behind Northwestern Lehigh in the district quarterfinals, but a late comeback got them past the Tigers. Alyssa Hursh hit three times from range as part of the comeback. ACC then ran past Palmerton and Blue Mountain, the latter the #8 seed that had toppled #1 Lehighton. The Vikettes are 2-7 against other teams in states, as both Palmerton and Blue Mountain also qualified. But ACC has started to look more impressive as of late, as Shamiya Roberts, Skyler Taylor, and Morgan Seagreaves seem to have found their chemistry and roles.

Class AAAAA

Mt. St. Joseph(20-5 51ppg; 41ppg allowed) at Southern Lehigh(12-13 39ppg; 39ppg allowed), 3/7 1:00

Key Players: MSJ – Morgan Cross(Sr); Caroline Dougherty(Jr); Caitlin Cavallaro(So)

SoLe – Eliana Marques(14ppg); Elena Druck(4ppg); Lydia Bartlett(6ppg)

The Magic make their first trip to states in three years after defeating Bishop Shanahan in playbacks to take fifth place in District 1. Cross, Dougherty, and Cavallaro often find themselves in double figures, The champions of the AACA(Athletic Association of Catholic Academies) bring a balanced scoring attack that made them the top seed in the D1 5A field. However, they were toppled by Radnor in their first game, 49-45 before rallying past West Chester East and Bishop Shanahan. Southern Lehigh is coming off a tough loss to Bethlehem Catholic in a small District XI 5A field. The Spartans trailed 56-18 at the break and fell 67-27. Solehi enters this game having dropped six of their last seven, but looks to gain valuable state playoff experience for a core of juniors and sophomores, not to mention freshman Rowan Adams. There are no seniors on the Spartans roster. While the Spartans will almost assuredly be outmatched in this game, this experience could set up head coach Sydney Slone’s squad to make a nice run next year.

Bishop Shanahan(12-13 41ppg; 42ppg allowed) at Bethlehem Catholic(23-4 55ppg; 35ppg allowed), 3/7 1:00

Key Players: BSH – Carmel Ambrose(Sr); Lauren Foster(Sr); Abby Garrity(Jr); Annie Udo(Jr)

Beca – Leah Ault(11ppg); Aliyah Brame(12ppg); Ayva Radande(6ppg); Kam Gallis(12ppg)

Head coach Arnold Alleyne’s Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks have mowed their way through District XI all season long, cruising past all except Easton. Despite some early season injury troubles, the team executed the ‘next player up’ mindset to perfection. As a result, we’ve seen numerous freshmen fill in roles at various times. Kam Gallis was the long anticipated star beginning her varsity career this year and she has not disappointed while healthy. Ayva Radande has been a rebounding machine throughout the late regular season and postseason. Avaughna Gordan stepped up when called upon, as well. Add in the constant scoring threats of Brame, Ault, Kendall Nickischer, and Brooklyn Lewis, and you have one heck of a formidable force coming from the Lehigh Valley. In their DXI title game, the Hawks hit the first seven 3-point shots they attempted to bury Southern Lehigh early and roll to a 67-27 championship, the school’s tenth in a row. Bishop Shanahan is back in the state playoffs after a one year hiatus. They have plenty of upperclassmen leadership in seniors Carmel Ambrose and Lauren Foster. Annie Udo, a junior, promises to be a force in the lane. Shanahan lost to Mt. St. Joseph in the District 1 5A 5th place game 58-38.

Class AAAAAA

Central Bucks East(22-4 55ppg; 37ppg allowed) at Emmaus(20-7 58ppg; 38ppg allowed), 3/6 7:00

Key Players: CBE – Haley Moran(16.5ppg); Natalie Berndt(10.9ppg); Payton Williams(10.8pgg); Jess Lockwood(10.6ppg)

Emm – Gabby Devita(16ppg); Olive Whitney(10.2ppg); Gracie Ervin(8.6ppg)

Yes, CB East is the District 1 5th place team despite only four losses on the year. And to claim that fifth place, they knocked off defending state champions Perkiomen Valley 64-54. Within the last month, the Patriots have notched two 1,000-point scorers in Jess Lockwood(Sr) and Haley Moran(Jr). The team averages 8 offensive rebouns and over 8 steals per game, giving them plenty of extra possessions. Emmaus is coming off of a disappointing loss to Easton in the DXI 6A title game after relinquishing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. Emmaus will require a big game from DeVita, as she was held to just three points against the Red Rovers. A couple of 3-pointers off the bench by Gabby East would also be welcomed, along with strong contributions from Sierra Stevens and some sharp-shooting from Whitney.

Parkland(19-6 50ppg; 32ppg allowed) at Central Philadelphia(18-8 43ppg; 34ppg allowed), 3/6 7:30 at Ben Franklin HS

Key Players: Park – Llana Cunningham(8.6ppg); Isabella Hallal(10ppg); Aneri McGalla(7.3ppg)

Central – Stevie Hall(12.2ppg); Janai Bellinger(9.2ppg, 11rpg); Ava Yancey(7.2ppg)

Parkland enters states off of a victory over Nazareth in the DXI consolation contest. The Trojans have had plenty of balanced scoring between seniors like Aneri McGalla, Bella Hallal, and Addi Fritzinger. They are also getting big contributions from underclassmen like Llana Cunningham, Yana Smaltz and Carly Spang. Central brings a younger squad into the postseason, with two starting seniors, but a lot of production from a junior, two sophomores and a freshman. Stevie Hall(Jr) leads the way in scoring, while Janai Bellinger(So) has been a force on the glass. The Lancers enter states off a 51-18 loss to state power Archbishop Carroll, but played it close with Imhotep Charter prior. Prior to those two defeats, Central had won nine in a row. Parkland will need to continue its balanced efforts on offense to get by these Lancers. One key statistic that goes against Central is that if this comes down to foul shots, the Lancers as a team only shoot 49% from the free throw line–the Trojans shoot nearly ten points better.

Neshaminy(20-7 44ppg; 33ppg allowed) at Easton(25-3, 55ppg; 32ppg allowed) 3/6 6:00

Key Players: Nesh – Nicole Trespalacios(8.8ppg); Hayley Kolk(9.5ppg); Ashlyn Duffy(6.5 ppg)

Easton – Nat Amato(9.2ppg); Melina Cole(11.2ppg); Gabby Wismer(10.9ppg)

Easton enters the state playoffs as champions of the EPC, coming back from down 11 in the fourth quarter to topple Emmaus. A total team effort defines each and every Red Rovers game–in addition to the three names above, opponents need to look out for Lianna Cole, Elena Brunetti, Ava Muhammad, and Eva Jordan(Fr) at big points any given night. All are scoring threats and all have polished defensive prowess. The Rovers have hit 171 triples, or six per game. The team also shoots nearly 70% on their foul shots, so if it comes down to a close game decided at the free throw line, Easton is ready. Neshaminy has a bit of a misleading record at 20-7; three of those losses came to Pennsbury, including the second round of the District 1 tournament. The 23-16 loss dropped the Redskins into the playbacks where they got by Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Conestoga and Bensalem to claim ninth place. Neshaminy has a standout freshman in Nicole Trespalacios and several talented juniors that include Mia Raivitch and Hayley Kolk. There is only one senior on this Neshaminy roster, Camryn Rodriguez. Neshaminy has also been successful despite a likely starter in Auslin Wilkins going down in the offseason with an injury.