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HERSHEY -- None of the Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic players who stepped on the court during a dominant first quarter in the PIAA Class 1A championship game Friday at the Giant Center had ever played in a state final.
You certainly couldn't tell that from watching the game.
In fact, the Lady Marauders have played beyond their years throughout the 2023-2024 season.
The majority of the year, BG started three freshmen, Morgan Ruggery, Maurie Querry and Anberlyn Petrecca, and a pair of sophomores, Stella Yeskey and Alana Lightner. Once the postseason started, sophomore Gia Adams joined the starting lineup.
That didn't stop the Lady Marauders from winning their first 13 games, which included a 6A opponent and eventual PIAA semifinalist Williamsburg, which they ended up beating three times.
"I think every practice we have grown up," Lightner said. "Every game we have grown up. Our coaches really helped us grow up, because we're such a young team, starting three sophomores and two freshmen."
This team, which hit the ground running despite most of them making a jump straight from junior high to varsity, also lost its senior leader in Sarah Geishauser to an injury just before the start of the season that kept her out until Friday's state final.
Former Bishop Guilfoyle girls basketball coach Mark Moschella marveled at what current coach Kristi Kaack has done with such inexperience prior to the state championship game.
"Kristi has done such a great job with these kids," Moschella said. "With Sarah Geishauser getting hurt the last game of the soccer season, that was a big blow to this basketball team with her leadership. They had a lot to overcome being freshmen and sophomores. But Sarah stayed with the team, and it's immeasurable what she, along with the coaching staff, were able to do for these kids from a leadership standpoint."
When Bishop Guilfoyle missed its first couple shots Friday, no one panicked.
"We talk to each other and calm each other down," Adams said. "We knew we just had to play our game. It's a big stage, but we just had to forget that and play the game we have been playing all year."
The Lady Marauders put Mountain View away before the Lady Eagles even had a chance to settle in during their first trip to a state championship, and BG didn't bat an eye when it came to playing against much larger competition in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference.
"I think our road to get here helped with that," Kaack said. "Playing Union on the road and then playing Williamsburg in the environment that we did (in the state playoffs), it almost felt like a state-championship environment at Altoona. I think that helped our girls grow up before they even stepped on the floor here today."
Despite all the success at the start of the season, there's no doubt BG was even better by March.
"Offensively, we're more relaxed and we definitely get the shots we're looking for more now," Querry said. "Defensively, we play more intense and more together."
All along, the Lady Marauders have operated with a take-care-of-business attitude and a sense that Friday's championship was the goal.
"With the group we have and just the connection we have as a team, we knew we were going to make it here," Adams said. "We all have such a good relationship, and we play well together. I think there's going to be more in our future."
With everyone except Geishauser back and only one junior on this year's roster, there's no reason to think there won't be more state finals ahead.
The Lady Marauders made it to three straight state championship games from 1993-1995. With the strides this year's group made in just the last month, it's conceivable that run could be matched or surpassed as these players carve their niche in the rich girls basketball history at Bishop Guilfoyle.
Michael Boytim can be reached at mboytim@altoonamirror.com or 814-946-7521. Follow him on X @BoytimMichael.