Basketball

BG girls bring more than enough energy for victory

By Michael Boytim

mboytim@altoonamirror.com

CLARION -- The mood in Tippin Gymnasium prior to the Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic girls PIAA Class 1A second round game against DuBois Central Catholic was a somber one.

The Marauders fans who attended the boys overtime loss to Girard were still in shock, and the Lady Cardinals didn't bring many fans to the game.

The Lady Marauders made sure none of that impacted their quest to win a PIAA championship.

BG cruised to a 47-21 win Wednesday over DuBois Central Catholic on the strength of a 20-2 run that stretched from the middle of the first quarter into the second quarter and all but ended the game before halftime.

"It felt really flat in there after the boys game," Bishop Guilfoyle coach Kristi Kaack said. "We talk to them all the time about creating our own energy. We want to be known for the way we defend, and I was really proud of the kids. I thought one through five and all the subs that came into the game, we all defended at a high level."

Bishop Guilfoyle forced the Lady Cardinals into 15 first-half turnovers, many which resulted in immediate layups. Maurie Querry, who led BG with 13 points, and Delaney Lechner opened the second quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers to make the score 22-4.

"We talked about how big our start was," Kaack said. "I thought we did a nice job of taking what the defense gave us, and we got some easy buckets at the rim. I was more impressed with the way we started on the defensive end. I thought we made them work for every shot that they took, and they were taking tough shots."

Alana Lightner's layup midway through the third quarter put Bishop Guilfoyle ahead by 31 and started a running clock.

"We want to make it far," said BG freshman Morgan Ruggery, who scored 10 points. "We wanted to come out and secure the game. We brought our own energy, and our bench was great and up on their feet. We're excited to keep going."

Bishop Guilfoyle will play WPIAL champion and defending PIAA Class 1A kingpin Union, which defeated Northern Bedford on Wednesday, 52-42, in Saturday's quarterfinal round.

"They are tough," Kaack said. "I watched their WPIAL championship against Saint Joseph's, which I think they are tough too. They bring a level of grit and have seniors that are tough to stop. We know it will be a big challenge, but our girls are up to that and look forward to it."

Union played DuBois Central Catholic earlier this season and won, 58-23.

"We played Union New Castle, and I'd say they are very comparable," DuBois Central Catholic coach Jordan Hoover said. "They are in that mold of like a Forest Hills. They just play a different tempo. That's why I tried to schedule a hard schedule. We came into tonight with no four-year starters available, so it was hard. That team, BG, they can beat anybody. As far as single-A teams, BG and Union are at the top."

Kayley Risser scored a team-high 10 points for DuBois Central Catholic, which finished 15-12.

Stella Yeskey and Lightner each added eight points for BG (26-3), and the Lady Marauders ended up forcing the Lady Cardinals into 25 turnovers for the game.

"I want them to soak it up, because they are one of eight 1A teams left playing in the state, and I think that's a bog accomplishment for anyone," Kaack said. "I really want them to enjoy the moment and be present in it tonight and then tomorrow and Friday we'll go to work on Union."

BISHOP GUILFOYLE (47): Querry 6 0-0 13, Ruggery 4 4-6 10, Yeskey 4 0-0 8, Lightner 3 2-2 8, Adams 0 0-0 0, Petrecca 0 3-4 3, Gofus 0 0-0 0, Homan 0 0-0 0, Lechner 1 0-0 3, Hite 1 0-0 2, Marasco 0 0-0 0, Steward 0 0-0 0. Totals--18 9-12 47.

DuBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC (21): Risser 3 3-3 10, Berta 1 2-2 5, Jacob 0 0-0 0, Em. Elensky 1 0-2 2, Jenkins 0 0-0 0, Sebring 0 0-0 0, El. Elensky 1 0-0 2, Gritzer 1 0-0 2, Morgan 0 0-0 0, Baummer 0 0-0 0, Semanchik 0 0-0 0, Lukehart 0 0-0 0. Totals--7 5-7 21.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Bishop Guilfoyle 16 10 13 8 — 47

DuBois Central Catholic 4 4 6 7 — 21

3-point goals: Bishop Guilfoyle 2 (Querry, Lechner); DuBois Central Catholic 2 (Risser, Berta)

Records: Bishop Guilfoyle (26-3); DuBois Central Catholic (15-12)

Officials: Bryan Harlan, Barry Bacha, Matt Gasbarre