GIRLS' AAA FINAL
BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC VS. SOUTH PARK
6 P.M. SATURDAY, GIANT CENTER (PCN)
BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC
28-2, District 11 champions
Coach: Bill Lanscek
PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Ht/Cl/Pos Pts/G
14 Nicole Lacherza 5-7 so G 4.8
20 Janelle Robinson 5-3 jr G 6.7
23 Cecilia Perez 5-10 sr F 2.9
24 Bridget Smith 5-11 sr F 10.6
32 Kalista Walters 6-0 so F 19.3
TOP RESERVES
45 Danielle Griffin 6-0 fr F 4.8
21 Nia Mims 5-10 fr G 4.9
ABOUT THE GOLDEN HAWKS: Lanscek's bunch has been on a tear following a 60-54 loss to Parkland in the Lehigh Valley Conference semifinals. While Walters, the LVC most valuable player, and Smith have played brilliantly inside the paint, guards Lacherza and Robinson, finally healed from a broken collarbone that cost her 5½ weeks, have connected on one big postseason shot after another. BECA's other setback came to Maryland-power Eleanor Roosevelt in late December. … Walters, a sophomore who topped 1,000 career points in 44-39 semifinal victory over Villa Maria, is averaging 23 points and eight rebounds in the state tournament. … The Hawks are toiling in just their second championship game. Bethlehem Catholic lost to North Catholic 62-42 in the 1993 Class AAA final. … Smith, the Hawks' leaders in rebounds (326) and assists (108), has collected 36 caroms in back-to-back wins over Prep Charter and Villa.
SOUTH PARK
27-2, WPIAL champions
Head coach: Reggie Wells
PROBABLE STARTERS
No. Name Ht/Cl/Pos Pts/G
4 Lindsey Noss 5-5 jr G 3.6
21 Halie Torris 5-11 jr F 16.3
31 Shelby Lindsay 5-11 sr G 18.5
34 Breanna Raymond 6-0 sr C 5.1
35 Allison McGrath 5-8 fr F 14.7
TOP RESERVES
14 Amanda Quinn 5-3 so G 2.8
42 Samantha Miller 5-8 fr F 2.1
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Sacked highly-touted Blackhawk 63-59 Tuesday at Chartiers Valley, a victory that steered South Park to its first PIAA championship appearance in program history. Lindsay, a four-year starter for head coach Reggie Wells, finished with 20 points, seven assists and four steals in that one. Torris (19 points) and Raymond (11 rebounds) weighed heavily on the outcome, as well. A 16-0 run helped Eagles reverse a 38-24 second-quarter deficit. … Wells, a retired state trooper and 1975 graduate of Milton Hershey School, excelled at Clarion University and played professionally in Argentina before turning to coaching. Wells is a Hall of Fame member at both Milton Hershey and Clarion. … Only losses came to Pflugerville (TX) at the KSA Disney Holiday Tournament in December and against Hopewell (49-34) on Jan. 19. … Lindsay, a 1,000-point scorer and Division I prospect, has gained interest from Army, Fairleigh Dickinson and others.
THE PICK: South Park
On Twitter: @threejacker