Seton-La Salle players Natalie Piaggesi (No. 23), Naje Gibson (20) and Angela Heintz (No. 22) look on as Bishop Canevin’s Carly Forse and Johnie Olkosky celebrate after securing the final rebound in their 41-36 victory in the PIAA Class AA semifinal basketball game. Forse led all scorers with 17 points.

Carly Forse keeps her eyes focused on the basket as she drives for a lay-up during Bishop Canevin’s 41-36 win over Seton-La Salle. Forse fired in a game-high 17 points in the triumph.

Natalie Piaggesi attempts to steal the ball away from Johnie Olkosky but is unsuccessful. Piaggesi scored six points in Seton-La Salle’s 41-36 loss to Bishop Canevin in the PIAA Class AA girls’ semifinal game. Though scoreless in this outing, Olkosky proved the difference when the Crusaders also knocked off the Rebels in the WPIAL championship game. She scored 26 points in that win. SLS had been both the defending district and state champions before the Crusaders toppled them.

Naje Gibson finds it difficult to score because of the defensive roadblocks posted by Gina Vallecorsa (No. 23) and Erin Waskowiak (No. 21) as teammate Catherine Hart attempts to assist. Gibson scored eight points in Seton-La Salle’s 41-36 loss to Bishop Canevin

After eluding Seton-La Salle defender Angela Heintz, Gina Vallercorsa drives to the hoop for two. She contributed 10 points to Bishop Canevin’s 41-36 triumph over the Rebels, who were the defending state champions.

Bishop Canevin head coach Tim Joyce expresses his outrage after his leading scorer, Erin Waskowiak, was assessed her third foul late in the first quarter. Though Joyce drew a technical foul for voicing his displeasure, the Crusaders went on to defeat Seton-La Salle, 41-36, and advance to the state finals in Hershey.

Erin Waskowiak makes her move against Cassidy Walsh. Though saddled with foul trouble, Waskowiak scored the go-ahead free throws and added a basket as Bishop Canevin opened up as much as a 39-33 advantage down the stretch before settling on a 41-36 victory against Seton-La Salle. Walsh, who finished with eight points, buried a 3-pointer that brought the Rebels as close as 39-36, before falling. Both players are Duquesne University recruits.

Cassidy Walsh attempts to sneak in and steal the ball off Johnie Olkosky while Naje Gibson attacks from a different angle. Despite Seton-La Salle’s defensive tactics, Bishop Canevin prevailed, 41-36, in the PIAA Class AA semifinal confrontation.

Angela Heintz is caught in the middle of Bishop Canevin defenders as she attempts to score a basket. The Duquesne recruit scored eight points but was held scoreless in the fourth and decisive quarter. In the frame, the Crusaders outscored Seton-La Salle, 14-8, to clinch a 41-36 win and berth in the PIAA finals.

Nicolete Newman (No. 5) and Shaunay Edmonds (No. 3) put the pressure on Erin Waskowiak during PIAA Class AA girls’ semifinal basketball action. Riddled by foul trouble for most of the game, Waskowiak scored four critical points in a decisive fourth quarter as Bishop Canevin knocked off Seton-LaSalle, the 2012 state champions, 41-36, and advanced to the state finals in Hershey.

Cassidy Walsh slips between two defenders but is unable to get a good shot at the basket. In Seton-La Salle’s 41-36 loss to Bishop Canevin, Walsh fired in eight points.

Celina DePietro tossed in 10 points during Bishop Canevin’s 41-36 win over Seton-La Salle in the PIAA state semifinal game played at Chartiers Valley. With the win, the Crusaders improved to 26-4 overall and advanced to the state finals set in Hershey.

Bishop Canevin athletic director Dan Bowman congratulates girls’ basketball coach Tim Joyce after the Lady Crusaders defeated rival Seton-La Salle, 41-36, and sealed their berth in the PIAA Class AA state championship game in Hershey.