Minersville and North Schuylkill each possess something the other desires.
The Battlin’ Miners are the defending Schuylkill League champions, and the Spartans will have to go through them in tonight’s league final at 6 p.m. at Martz Hall to claim that crown for themselves.
North Schuylkill has a dynasty of 13 Schuylkill League titles — more than any other school — which is what Minersville hopes to start building tonight.
That’s where the differences between the two end and the striking similarities begin.
“I think when you look at that roster and see those kids play, you recognize immediately how talented they are on the offensive side of the ball,” North Schuylkill coach John Rizzo said of the Miners.
“They have a lot of weapons that can put the ball in the bucket. They have quick guards, they have size. I don’t know the last time I saw a young team be that well-rounded and that mature.”
Abby Schoffstall is one of the best ball-handlers in the league from her guard position for Minersville (22-1).
She’s also the league’s second-leading scorer.
Adrienne Kroznuskie is as potent a threat as anyone from beyond the arc, Emily Mealey is a force in the paint and both Maggie Wigoda and Sarah Nawrocki have adapted well to their starting roles.
But look across the aisle and you could say the same exact thing about North Schuylkill (21-2).
Tiff Lapotsky is a standout two-way guard and is third in the league in scoring. Carly Gregas and Nina Marone dominate the paint in almost every game they play. Waverly Snyder can sink 3s with the best and Averi Jordan is a tough, physical freshman who can play any position.
“I think, by far, this is going to be the most talented team we’ve faced all year,” Minersville coach Jared Homa said. “Especially with the two big girls down low. They really crash the boards, they’re talented down there. Lapotsky is a great guard. They’re just a well-rounded team.”
It’s not just generic coach-speak that both Rizzo and Homa describe each other’s team as being “well-rounded.” There’s evidence to back it up:
• They both have two of the league’s top three scorers in Schoffstall and Lapotsky.
• Mealey is one of the league’s top forwards offensively, putting in 13 points a game. Gregas averages a little more than 10.
• Marone and Wigoda are both reliable rebounders and have tremendous chemistry with Gregas and Mealey, respectively.
• Minersville’s offense is tops in the league at 61 points per game. North Schuylkill is right behind it at 55.
• The Battlin’ Miners have won 15 games in a row, dating back to a holiday tournament loss to Pottsville at Martz Hall on Dec. 27.
• The Spartans are winners in their previous 16 games, last suffering a loss to quad-A State College in a holiday tournament Dec. 29.
• Both are in the top-10 in the PennLive state girls’ basketball rankings — Minersville at No. 7, North Schuylkill at No. 10.
So how do you prepare for an opponent that is virtually the same as your own team?
For Minersville, it’s consistency.
“We try to treat it like a regular-season game,” Homa said. “We know it’s bigger than a regular-season game, but the mentality going into the game, the preparation for the game, we’re trying to be as consistent as possible.”
For North Schuylkill, it’s reinforcing the one area where it holds an advantage over Minersville coming into tonight — defense.
The Spartans enter the league final ranked third in team defense, allowing 33.3 points per game.
“I think first and foremost we have to control the tempo on the defensive end,” Rizzo said. “We need a one-and-done mentality in terms of slowing that offense down.”
North Schuylkill’s most recent title came in 2007. The Spartans won 10-of-11 Schuylkill League titles from 1986-96 and seven in a row from 1990-96.
Minersville won its first Schuylkill League title by beating Marian 61-46 in last season’s championship, making it just the eighth school to win the league title.
With nothing but sophomores and freshmen on this year’s roster, it’s not hard to imagine a Minersville run similar to the one North Schuylkill went on decades ago.
But first thing’s first.
Someone has to win tonight — and they have to do it after both teams escaped with draining, single-digit victories in the semifinals Tuesday.
“Even if you’re tired,” Homa said, “if you can’t get up and get excited for the Schuylkill League championship, you really shouldn’t be playing basketball.”
Schuylkill League Girls’ Basketball Championship
Tonight, at Martz Hall
Minersville (22-1, Division II champion)
vs. North Schuylkill (21-2, Division I champion), 6 p.m.
About the Battlin’ Miners
Head coach: Jared Homa
How got here: Defeated Pottsville 49-48 in Tuesday’s semifinal
Schuylkill League playoff appearances (since 1985): Six, one title
Last appearance: 2014 — Defeated Pottsville 46-42 in semifinal, defeated Marian 61-46 in final
League ranking: Offense (1st, 60.7 ppg), defense (10th, 42.0 ppg), free-throw percentage (5th, .639)
Probable starting lineup: G Abby Schoffstall (soph., 5-7, 19.0 ppg), G Sarah Nawrocki (soph., 5-10, 4.5), G-F Adrienne Kroznuskie (soph., 5-8, 11.7), F Maggie Wigoda (fr., 5-10, 5.3), F Emily Mealey (soph., 6-0, 13.1)
Key reserves: G Maura Bentz (soph., 5-5, 3.8), G Emily Kriston (fr., 5-3, 1.7), F Alli Polinsky (soph., 5-9, 1.4)
About the Spartans
Head coach: John Rizzo
How got here: Defeated Marian 47-42 in Tuesday’s semifinal
Schuylkill League playoff appearances (since 1985): 19, 13 titles
Last appearance: 2014 — Lost to Marian 31-28 in semifinal
League ranking: Offense (2nd, 54.6 ppg), defense (3rd, 33.3 ppg), free-throw percentage (8th, .614)
Probable starting lineup: G Tiff Lapotsky (jr., 5-6, 16.1 ppg), G Averi Jordan (fr., 5-8, 6.0), G Waverly Snyder (jr., 5-6, 5.3), F Nina Marone (sr., 5-9, 5.3), F Carly Gregas (sr. 6-0, 10.1)
Key reserves: F Chase Stokes (sr., 5-8, 3.8), F Samantha Shinkus (fr., 5-7, 3.4), F Rachel Bell (jr., 5-8, 2.0)
Game notes
Both teams enter tonight listed in the Top 10 of the Class AA state rankings. Minersville is ranked No. 7. North Schuylkill is ranked No. 10. ... Spartans have won 16 straight games, including a win over previously undefeated Mount Carmel on Jan. 28. ... Battlin’ Miners have won 15 games in a row. ... Both teams were undefeated in Schuylkill League play this season. ... Each team advanced to league final with a single-digit semifinal win. Minersville beat Pottsville 49-48. North Schuylkill beat Marian 47-42. ... Spartans have league-high 13 Schuylkill League championships. Their last title was 2007. ... Minersville won its first league title last season and will try to become the first school to repeat since Tamaqua (2010-11).
— Compiled by Mike Wilson