Pirates build on school’s legacy
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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
If Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic wins the PIAA Class 1A championship on Friday, Williamsburg will have been eliminated by the eventual state champion in each of the last four seasons.
The Lady Pirates reached the PIAA semifinals in two of the last four years, won a District 6 title and made the PIAA quarterfinals last season but just couldn't quite get over the hump and make it to Hershey.
But with seemingly the entire town of Williamsburg cheering the Lady Pirates on Tuesday night in a packed Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse, it was almost like they got that experience anyway.
"It felt like the state championship tonight," Williamsburg senior Ayla Hileman said. "It was so cool to see here in Altoona with all the seats filled."
More than 2,400 fans were estimated in attendance Tuesday, and Williamsburg and Bishop Guilfoyle gave them a show worth far more than the ticket price.
Williamsburg led by two going into the final quarter before a key 7-0 run by BG turned the tide in an eventual 51-45 triumph.
"This definitely brought back memories for me. This is what I wanted to give to my kids," Williamsburg coach Amy Hileman said. "I wanted to give them the opportunity to step on the floor in the state playoffs and give them all the experiences that I got to experience. I'm blessed that we got that opportunity. I was hoping for more this time around. You always want better for your kids. My team, I consider them all my kids."
Williamsburg will graduate three seniors from the team, Ayla Hileman, Laney Prough and Claire Carper.
"They are definitely going to be missed," Amy Hileman said. "I'm very proud of the work they put into their basketball careers. They are teaching a lot of younger Lady Pirates how to play. They gave them something to aspire for, and they are great role models. They will be great community members someday and do great things."
That class won eight state playoff games, three Inter-County Conference varsity titles and a District 6 championship to help Williamsburg restore its girls basketball legacy.
"I think it kicked it in the butt a little bit," Amy Hileman said. "There's lots of interest in the elementary program. These kids are doing well in their leagues and are learning to love the game. That's all I can ask for. Definitely I believe we'll see more teams out of Williamsburg here on this floor representing our small little school."
Even in a loss, Williamsburg earned recognition from its competition.
"I have a lot of respect for Coach Hileman and the program that she's created there," Bishop Guilfoyle coach Kristi Kaack said. "I also have a lot of respect for Ayla as a senior. I'm happy to see her go. She's been really tough to play against the last four years, but I think that's a team we'll be battling against the next few years."
Ayla Hileman missed the first half of her senior season after suffering an offseason ACL injury but returned to lead the team in scoring average and had a team-high 14 points on Tuesday.
"Coming back off my knee surgery and getting to play with the girls is something I'll treasure," Ayla Hileman said. "Making it to the ICC finals, District 6 finals and here, even though we came up short, those are memories that will last a lifetime."
Williamsburg defeated Aquinas Academy, Elk County Catholic and avenged a loss to Berlin Brothersvalley in the Inter-County Conference championship in the PIAA quarterfinals.
"All three teams we played to get here were very tough," Prough said. "Aquinas was really fast. Elk County had strong post players, and Berlin is just an all around good team. We had the toughest road to get here, but BG is good. They deserve this."
Prough had nine points and six rebounds Tuesday and was proud of what her team accomplished.
"It felt awesome," Prough said. "Our whole community was out to support us, and that's all I can really ask for. I think we brought our town back together. Since 1997, we had some good teams, but there's definitely been a gap. I think we brought the support back in our community, and I definitely think they'll be here next year and the years after."
Williamsburg will return two of its top three scorers in LeeAnna Royer and Levada Gorsuch, who started as a sophomore and freshman respectively.
"We're going to just keep getting better and better," Gorsuch said. "I don't see our team having any down years. It was awesome to see our whole town here tonight. They really came out to support us. This will definitely fuel us to get back here."
Hileman plans to continue her career at Frostburg State, but all three seniors will remain a part of Williamsburg's rich basketball history.
"They meant the world to me, and the teams I have played with over the years have been amazing," Prough said. "We have gone so far and done so much. It's been amazing. I'll always be a Lady Pirate at heart."