Neshaminy and Upper Dublin will be playing for a trip to Hershey and the state title game in Monday’s PIAA 6A semifinal contests. Check back for recaps of both games.
#1-2 NESHAMINY vs. #1-1 GARNET VALLEY (Monday, 6 p.m., Plymouth Whitemarsh High School)
Neshaminy
- 27-4 overall
- 12-0 SOL National Conference champions
- Fell to Abington 51-44 in SOL Tournament title game
- Led by Bucknell signee Brooke Mullin, who averages 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
- Allison Harvey (9.1 points, 3.4 rebounds), who is dangerous from long range, and point guard Kristin Curley (8.1 points. 4.2 assists) are also key contributors.
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal contest, Neshaminy defeated District 12 champion Cardinal O’Hara 47-35. Senior Brooke Mullin scored 11 of her game-high 15 points in the second half. Kristin Curley added 12 points and Emily Tantala, eight points.
In a second round game, Neshaminy – sparked by a 26-6 seconds quarter – rolled to a 70-40 win over District 2 champion Hazletown. Allison Harvey led the Redskins with 15 points on five three-pointers. Brooke Mullin added 12 points and Kristin Curley had 10.
In its state opener, Neshaminy notched a 48-38 win over District 3’s fourth place team, Cedar Cliff. The Redskins, minus Alexis McCoy (illness), were led by Brooke Mullin (18 points), Kristin Curley (12) and Emily Tantala (9).
Garnet Valley
- 28-1 overall
- 17-0 Central League regular season champion
- District 1 6A champions
- Seniors Emily McAteer and Brianna Borcky, a Drexel commit, both surpassed the 1,000-point milestone.
- Loyola of Maryland commit McAteer, a 6-0 forward, is the school’s all-time leading scorer with over 1,700 points
- Only loss of season came on Jan. 26 to District 1 5A champion Villa Maria Academy (58-46).
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal contest, Garnet Valley rallied from eight down in the fourth quarter to defeat Council Rock North, District 1’s seventh place squad, 47-45. Morgan Falcone led a balanced attack with 13 points. Emily McAteer and Brianne Borcky both scored 10 points while Madison McKee had eight.
In a second round contest, Garnet Valley rolled to a 62-40 win over Bethlehem Freedom. Emily McAteer was unstoppable, connecting on 11-of-14 shots and finishing with 24 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Center Madi McKee added 13 points and 10 rebounds while Brianne Borcky had 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a contest that saw the Jaguars connect on 29-of-44 shots from the floor (68.2 percent).
In an opening round game, Garnet Valley defeated Cedar Crest, the seventh place team out of District 3, 52-34. Emily McAteer’s 19 points led the Jaguars.
#1-5 UPPER DUBLIN vs. #7-1 PETERS TOWNSHIP (Monday, 6 p.m., Bald Eagle HS, Wingate)
Upper Dublin
- 25-5 overall
- 13-1 SOL American Conference co-champions with Abington
- Defending PIAA 6A champion
- Led by junior center Jackie Vargas (13.1 ppg), sophomore Dayna Balasa (9.7 ppg) and sophomore Sarah Eskew (7.2 ppg).
- Defense is the Cardinals’ calling card, and they have not allowed more than 36 points in three state playoff wins that have seen opponents average just 33 points.
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal, Upper Dublin defeated Abington, District 1’s third place team, 41-31. The Flying Cardinals, who trailed 20-16 at halftime, allowed just 11 second-half points. Jackie Vargas led the Cardinals with 14 points. Dayna Balasa had 10 points, which included two three-pointers, and Sarah Eskew added eight points.
In a second round contest, Upper Dublin defeated District 7 runner-up North Allegheny 41-32. Jackie Vargas led the Cardinals with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Dayna Balasa added 11 points, which included three three-pointers.
In an opening round game, Upper Dublin defeated District 3’s third-place team, Central Dauphin, 47-36. Leading the Flying Cardinals were Jackie Vargas (13 points), Dayna Balasa (12 points – 4 threes, 9 rebounds) and Kara Grebe (10 points).
Peters Township
- 28-0 overall
- Defeated North Allegheny 43-40 in overtime to capture the program’s first ever WPIAL title.
- Won 25 of 28 games by double digits
- Led by first team all-state senior Makenna Marisa, who averages 20.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals. The 5-11 senior guard chose Penn State from a lengthy list of D1 schools that included Villanova and St. Joseph’s.
- Senior Isabella Mills (13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.1 apg), freshman Journey Thompson (12.8 ppg) and junior Mackenzie Lehman (8.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 spg) are also key contributors.
- Indians have connected on 133 three-pointers, led by Makenna Marisa (57) and Isabella Mills (44).
- Four of five starters are 5-11 or more.
How they got here: In Friday’s quarterfinal contest, Peters Township rolled to a 64-46 win over Norwin, District 7’s fourth place squad. The Indians opened up a 12-0 lead and led 16-6 after one quarter and 24-8 by halftime. Makenna Marisa led all scorers with 20 points. Freshman Journey Thompson added 16 points and 11 rebounds, sophomore Jordan Bisignani had 13 and senior Isabella Mills had 11 and six boards. Peters Township made 20-of-24 free throws, including 13-of-15 in the fourth. Mills was 8-for-8 in the fourth.
In a second round game, Peters Township defeated District 7’s third place team, Bethel Park, 62-44. Makenna Marisa (18 points, 8 rebounds), Mackenzie Lehman (14 points, 9 rebounds), Journey Thompson (13 points, 6 rebounds) and Jordan Bisignani (10 points) all had big games.
In an opening round contest, Peters Township defeated Harrisburg 54-34. Makenna Marisa (23 points), Isabella Mills (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Journey Thompson (9 points, 8 rebounds) led the way. Mackenzie Lehman had a team-high 11 rebounds.
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