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Bishop McCort Catholic's Haley Thomas didn't have her best game, according to her coach, but don't tell that to the Bellwood-Antis Lady Blue Devils.
Thomas pumped in 27 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out five assists as McCort trimmed Bellwood-Antis, 62-55, in the opening game of the Jaffa Shrine Basketball Tournament Tuesday night.
McCort will meet host Altoona in the championship game tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Lions topped Juniata Valley, 52-47, in Tuesday's other first rounder at the Jaffa.
"This was one of her games where she didn't have it, but kept fighting," McCort veteran coach John Hahn said of Thomas, an early signee with Saint Francis University.
"I kept telling her to go to the hoop because the shots would drop," Hahn noted.
And, drop they did.
Thomas scored 10 fourth-quarter points, including 6-for-6 at the free-throw line, and appeared to get every defensive rebound as the Lady Crushers finished strong to hold off a furious Bellwood finish.
"(Thomas) shoots free throws very well and we like to get her to the line," Hahn said. "We knew if we got the lead we'd be all right."
Bellwood led 17-15 after one quarter, but McCort held a 27-25 halftime advantage, thanks to four 3-pointers from Machala Gibbons. Thomas took over in the second half, scoring 21 points as the Crushers outscored B-A, 35-30.
"Definitely a very nice win and a good way to open the season," Hahn offered.
Although his team fell to 1-2, Bellwood coach Jim Swaney saw it as a learning experience.
"Early in the year, to play non-league games against quality opponents, I don't know if you really lose," Swaney said. "But, obviously, we need to do some things better.
"We need to box out better and we didn't hit some shots we normally do," he continued. "But what pleased me, even though we didn't hit some shots, the young kids still took them. When they were open, the moment wasn't too big and they took those shots.
"That's going to help us down the road."
Karson Swogger pumped in 29 points for the Lady Blue Devils while freshman Allie Campbell added 16, including 12 in the fourth quarter. No other B-A player scored more than 3.
Swogger also is committed to Saint Francis and Thomas is looking forward to it.
"We played together on the (AAU) Central Pennsylvania All-Stars and I'm excited to be her college teammate," Thomas said. "Karson is a great player.
"Bellwood is always tough and they'll be a contender in District 6 (2A), like we are," Thomas noted. "We're a young team and our young players really stepped up tonight.
"However, we have great leadership on this team and that helped pull us through tonight," Thomas said. "We have three seniors on the floor at all times and can help the young girls focus."
Hahn concurred.
"With Thomas, Gibbons and (Aunna) Yingling -- three seniors -- I think we have one of the best backcourts in the area."
BISHOP McCORT: Thomas 8 11-14 27, Yingling 1 0-1 2, Widmar 2 2-2 6, Wilson 2 1-4 5, Gibbons 5 4-4 18, Forte 1 0-0 2, Rozich 0 0-0, Martin 0 0-0 0, Hunt 0 0-0 0, Eckenrod 1 0-0 2. Totals -- 20 18-25 62.
BELLWOOD-ANTIS (55): Swogger 8 9-11 29, Carles 0 0-0 0, Campbell 6 2-4 16, D'Angelo 1 0-0 3, Damiano 0 2-3 2, A. Leidig 0 0-0 0, E. Leidig 0 2-2 2, Hollen 1 0-0 3, Engle 0 0-0 0. Totals -- 16 15-20 55..
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bishop McCort 15 12 17 18 -- 62
Bellwood-Antis 17 8 16 14 -- 55
3-point goals: Bishop McCort 4 (Gibbons 4); Bellwood-Antis 8 (Swogger 4, Campbell 2, D'Angelo, Hollen).
Officials: Bill Pfeffer, Joe Bilka, Craig Andros.
Records: Bishop McCort (1-0); Bellwood-Antis (1-2).