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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
Northern Bedford's girls basketball team will have two chances to clinch a spot in the PIAA Class 1A postseason beginning with Wednesday's District 5 semifinal game against Southern Fulton at home.
"It was one of our goals to get a semifinal home game," Northern Bedford coach Jon Ewart said. "You are guaranteed two games if you have a bye in the first round since they are taking three. It gets you one step closer toward that district championship as well as the state tournament."
Forbes Road will travel to defending District 5 Class 1A champion Berlin Brothersvalley in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
"I'm pleased with the overall way our season went," Berlin Brothersvalley coach Rachel Prosser said. "We lost some close games. We're still working to improve and adjust on some of the small details, but we're gearing up. We're excited to get a chance to play as much basketball as we can."
Three teams advance into the PIAA tournament from District 5, so Wednesday's losers will play in a consolation game for the right to move on, but Ewart is hoping his girls are at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on Saturday playing for the District 5 title.
"It's definitely goal No. 1 at the start of the season," Ewart said. "We collect goal papers, and everyone has about getting back to UPJ and winning a district championship. A lot of them have winning a state playoff game too."
The Lady Panthers won a 2A championship in 2022 with the help of some of this year's senior class of Mariah Hall, Leah Swanseen, Lauren Heck and Lacy McIlnay.
"One of my favorite games, we had all four in double digits," Ewart said. "Someone steps up each night for us. It's not always the same person. We're getting value out of everyone out there. Our post players have been rebounding really well lately. Mariah and Leah have been scoring and have been balanced. It's great to see it all mesh."
Hall recently went over 1,000 points for her career for Northern Bedford, which finished the regular season 14-8 and split two games with Southern Fulton.
Top-seeded Berlin Brothersvalley defeated Northern Bedford, 57-33, on Feb. 9 and stands at 19-5 after beating Williamsburg in the Inter-County Conference championship game.
The Lady Mountaineers made it all the way to the PIAA semifinals last season but are led by a freshman, Coral Prosser, this year.
"It's going to be a new experience every game, but overall, our seniors have been through it," Rachel Prosser said. "The younger girls, if we can focus on keeping our heads, we'll be fine. We'll get them ready in practice."