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Berlin girls capture their first state championship

HERSHEY — Berlin Brothersvalley, a member of the WestPAC and the District 5 champions, won the PIAA Class 1A state title Friday with a 41-32 victory over Lourdes Regional at the Giant Center.

The title was the first in the Somerset County school’s history.

Lourdes Regional defeated Bishop Carroll Catholic, the District 6 champion, in the second round of the PIAA playoffs.

The Lady Mountaineers led, 11-0, after the first quarter and maintained that advantage throughout much of the game. Lourdes Regional had a 3-pointer rim out with 1:30 to play that could have cut the lead to four.

Alexis Yanosky led Berlin with 12 points, and Zoie Smith added 10 points. Lilly Bickel scored a game-high 17 points and had 10 rebounds for Lourdes Regional.

“It’s hard to believe people will be walking by that gold ball years down the road when these kids are doing who knows what and their lasting memory will be there forever,” Berlin Brothersvalley coach Rachel Prosser said. “It’s incredible. The big thing is seeing the smiles on these girls’ faces. They are like my own kids.”

Plenty of assistance

Bishop Guilfoyle coach Chris Drenning and his players have gotten plenty of well-deserved credit for the Marauders’ run to the PIAA finals, but he insisted they couldn’t have done it alone.

Following the victory over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the PIAA semifinals, Drenning singled out assistants Tom Goss, John Craig and Mike Crownover.

“I have a great staff, they don’t get enough recognition, and they should,” Drenning said. “I think I have the best staff in the state. I trust them, and no coach does this without great people and great assistants. I’m so blessed to have them.”

School in session

Bishop Guilfoyle still held class Friday, but any student that wished to attend the game was given an excused absence.

All 700 of BG’s ticket allotment sold out, and at least three fan buses made the trip.

Bellwood-Antis shut its school down for Thursday’s championship game.

Eckenrode attends

Gerry Eckenrode, who led Delone Catholic to wins over Penn Cambria and Central Cambria en route to a PIAA Class 3A state title win Thursday, was in attendance at the Bishop Guilfoyle game.

Eckenrode is a 1969 BG graduate.

“You never think you’re going to get back here,” Eckenrode said. “To be back after 14 years is pretty special. It was unbelievable to win another title, but I’m here to support Guilfoyle here today.”

Jennings in title game

Harlem Jennings, who played at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic through her sophomore year, is a senior for the Archbishop Carroll team that will play undefeated Chartiers Valley for the PIAA Class 5A girls title tonight at 6:10 p.m.

No suspension

Replays of the forearm hit by West Middlesex’s Grace Mild on Bellwood-Antis’ Sakeria Haralson were all over social media following the PIAA Class 2A championship game Thursday. The slow-motion replay prompted some to call for a suspension for Mild, a junior, to begin next season.

District 6 official Mike Hudak confirmed to the Mirror Thursday that any type of punishment toward Mild would have had to happen during game action, and that she wouldn’t be eligible for any type of suspension after the game was completed unless something had been called in the contest.

Relive the action

Copies of a DVD, Blu-ray or digital download of the PIAA championship games can be purchased by calling (717)-730-6000.

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