Peters Township beats Fox Chapel to advance to WPIAL semifinals
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Isabella Mills finds a way to score while keeping her eyes focused on the hoop during Peters Township’s WPIAL Class 6A girls’ basketball playoff game against Fox Chapel. In racking up a game-high 20 points, Mills buried five, 3-point field goals as the Indians defeated the Foxes, 57-23, to advance to the semifinals against rival Bethel Park on Tuesday at Canon-McMillan High School. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Mackenna Marisa (20) makes her move against Domenica Delaney (10) during WPIAL Class 6A girls' quarterfinals basketball playoff action.
After an 11-day hiatus from playing basketball, Peters Township (23-0) sluggishly got back in the groove on Feb. 22 and defeated Fox Chapel, 57-23, at Mt. Lebanon High School to advance to the semifinals in the WPIAL Class 6A tournament.
“Overall, we played like we had a little rust,” PT coach Bert Kendall said. “It’s been a couple weeks since we had a real game. We tried to replicate that with scrimmages but there is nothing like playing.”
Isabella Mills agreed.
“It was tough just getting back into the groove of things,” she said. “We started off slower than we normally do and had some gaps. Once we got going, we did well.”
Though they jumped off to a 7-0 lead, the Indians only settled down after halftime, where they clung to a 27-13 advantage.
In the second half, Mills certainly did very well. She picked up the slack for the Lady Indians, who broke open the game, 44-18, by the end of the third quarter. Mills knocked down five, 3-point field goals and finished with a game-high 20 points.
“We had a long break so obviously I was able to practice my threes,” Mills said. “I had hoped they would fall throughout the game. But I owe it all to my teammates. I want to thank them for getting me those shots. They were driving and getting me open and I was able to make them.”
That Mills took control pleased Kendall as well as all of the Lady Indians.
“Isabella stepped up. She had a great game and we are all glad,” he said. “That is what senior do. It was time for her to step up, particularly when Makenna (Marisa) was struggling from the field. That is what we expect.”
The Indians normally expect 20-plus points from Marisa but the Penn State recruit was limited to eight markers. Journey Thompson was the only other player in double digit for Peters. The freshman finished with 16 points. Mackenzie Lehman (7), Jordan Bisignani (4) and Avana Sayles (2) completed the scoring.
Despite their 15-8 record, the Foxes gave the Indians competition. That did not surprise Kendall.
“Everybody here is here for a reason and even regardless of record it means you are playing well now,” Kendall said of playoff teams. “I thought Fox Chapel looked good. They are a quality team and they gave us something to work on. That’s what you hope for. For a weakness to be exposed so that you can get back in the gym and fix it.”
The Indians have until Tuesday to work out the kinks but then their task doesn’t get any easier. If they are to return to the WPIAL finals set for March 1 at the Petersen Center, the Indians must go through Bethel Park (21-2).
The Hawks outlasted Seneca Valley (15-8), 51-45, in a quarterfinal game played at North Allegheny.
Olivia Westphal (18) and Maddie Dziezgowski (16) finished in double digits.
Bethel Park, whose only losses this year have been to Peters Township in section action, also got a spark from Maria Cerro. The IUP recruit scored seven points in the third quarter to break open the contest, which was tied, 5-5, after one frame and 18-18, at halftime.
Admitting his team has had “good success” against the Hawks, Kendall said he expects another good match-up when the rivals meet.
“We know what they do and they know what we do. They are very well coached and we are section rivals so it’s going to be a good game.
Mills agreed. “Obviously, they are always a tough match-up against us. We just have to focus on the little things, lessen the turnovers and finish more. We have to continue working as a team. It’s a playoff game, so we know we have to bring up our game.”
Now that they are back into their “normal routine” the Indians will make use of the lessons learned from their first-round game.
“The first game is always tough because you had a long break,” explained Kendall. “Fox Chapel gets us back in a rhythm. We are so used to having maybe two days off and then playing a game. We’ll use this time to prepare for our opponent and be ready to play.”
Other action
Upper St. Clair (11-12) and Mt. Lebanon (12-11) were certainly ready to play their first-round playoffs game, but despite their valiant efforts the Panthers and the Blue Devils bowed out of the tournament, falling to the higher seeds.
USC took on No. 2 North Allegheny (22-1), which is also the defending Class 6A champion, and battled until succumbing, 33-26. Sarah Price scored 10 points for the Panthers.
Lebo dropped a 39-35 decision to Norwin (21-1), which is the only team to beat the Tigers this season. In double figures for the Blue Devils with 10 points each were Jamey Napoleon and Ashleigh Connor.
Bishop Canevin (21-2) easily handled Ellis School, 55-35. Shamyjha Price poured in 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Joining Price in double digits were: Djajha Allen (12), Emma Theodorsson (12) and Gillan Gustine (11). The victory advanced the Lady Crusaders to the Class 2A semifinals to be played Feb. 25 against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (19-4).
In Class 4A quarterfinal action, No. 2 seed North Catholic (20-3) ousted Keystone Oaks, 44-29. Isabela Bogdan and Jaylen Hoffman each scored nine points for the Golden Eagles (14-9).
Despite 12 points from Chloe Lestitian, Seton LaSalle (11-11) dropped out of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs after a loss, 47-32, to Deer Lakes.