PIAA Girls’ Basketball Playoff
Capsule Previews
Class A First Round
Shenandoah Valley (21-4) vs. Faith Christian (24-4)
Today, 1 p.m., Martz Hall
About the Blue Devils
Head coach: Chris Conroy
How got here: After quarterfinal bye, defeated Mahanoy Area 38-33 and Williams Valley 42-40 to win District 11 Class A championship
Last PIAA appearance: 2014, lost to Phil-Mont Christian in Class A first round
Team statistics: Offense (47.0 ppg), defense (31.7 ppg), free-throw percentage (.667)
Probable starting lineup: G Kristina Nieddu (sr., 5-3, 9.0 ppg), G Abigail Snitzer (sr., 5-9, 16.1), F Marcella Creasy (jr., 5-10, 8.3), G Alaina Demalis (jr., 5-3, 0.8), G Carly Teaschenko (soph., 5-5, 6.0)
Key reserves: G Molly Michalik (soph., 5-5, 2.9), F Allison Wargo (fr., 5-8, 2.2)
About the Lions
Head coach: David Forker
How got here: Lost to Phil-Mont Christian in the District 1 Class A championship
Last PIAA appearance: 2010, lost to Greenwood in Class A first round
Probable starting lineup: G Ashley Parylak (soph.), G-F Ashley Forker (soph.), G-F Monica Ervin (sr.), F Jessica Robinson (soph.), F Liz Hoffman (soph.)
Game notes
Blue Devils finished with the best defense in the Schuylkill League, allowing a little more than 31 points per game. … Snitzer is in top five in Schuylkill League in scoring (16.1 ppg), 3-point field goals per game (2.6) and free-throw percentage (.750). … Blue Devils have been honorable mention in state Class A rankings since midseason. … This season’s District 11 Class A title was the program’s first in school history. … Ashley Forker is catalyst for Faith Christian offense, usually scoring around 15-20 points a game. Parylak and Ervin also provide scoring, but primary offense comes from Forker. … Lions lost in District 1 title game to Phil-Mont Christian, which beat Shenandoah Valley in the first round last season before reaching the state semifinals.
Up next: Winner plays winner of North Penn-Mansfield (4-1) and Halifax (3-3) in Wednesday’s second round.
Williams Valley (16-8) vs. Phila. West Catholic (6-13)
Today, 1 p.m., St. Joseph’s Prep H.S.
About the Vikings
Head coach: Brian Unger
How got here: After quarterfinal bye, beat Salem Christian 52-28 before losing to Shenandoah Valley 42-40 in District 11 Class A championship game
Last PIAA appearance: 1999, lost to Nativity in Class A semifinals
Team statistics: Offense (52.8 ppg), defense (43.2 ppg), free-throw percentage (.672)
Probable starting lineup: G Rayanne Hawk (jr., 13.4 ppg), F Haley Nestor (sr., 7.7), G Hannah Nestor (sr., 10.5), F Jenna Daniel (jr., 3.5), G Kate Whelski (jr., 11.9)
Key reserves: F Alyssa Schadle (jr., 3.7)
About the Burrs
How got here: Beat Math, Civics and Sciences 61-54 in overtime in District 12 championship
Last PIAA appearance: Not available
Note: No statistical or team information available for West Catholic
Game notes
Williams Valley finished with the Schuylkill League’s third-best offense this season, averaging more than 53 points per game. … An experienced offensive side, the Vikings have three of the Schuylkill League’s top 25 scorers: Hawk, Whelski and Hannah Nestor. … This is the first trip to the PIAA playoffs for Williams Valley since losing to Schuylkill League rival Nativity in the 1999 Class A semifinals. … West Catholic plays in deep Philadelphia Catholic League against Neumann-Goretti, Archbishop Wood, Archbishop Carroll, Cardinal O’Hara and Bonner-Prendergast — all in the state playoffs. West Catholic lost most of those games by about 30 points, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. … West Catholic lost to Neumann-Goretti 80-15 earlier this season. … West Catholic won District 12 Class A by winning just one game, a 61-54, overtime victory against Math, Civics and Sciences.
Directions to St. Joseph’s Prep High School: Take Interstate 78 East to PA Turnpike/Interstate 476 South (toll). Merge on to Interstate 76 East (toll) and take Girard Avenue/U.S. 30 West exit (342). Turn left onto West Girard Avenue and slight right onto Poplar Drive. Turn right onto Poplar Street and stay straight to go onto South College Avenue and West Girard Avenue. St. Joseph’s Prep High School is on the left.
Up next: Winner plays winner of Lebanon Catholic (3-1) and Lourdes (4-3) in Wednesday’s second round.
Lourdes (18-7) vs. Lebanon Catholic (19-7)
Today, noon, Lebanon High School
About the Red Raiders
Head coach: Mike Klembara
How got here: Beat Bucktail 64-47 in District 4 quarterfinals, lost to Mansfield 43-36 in semifinals, beat Sayre 58-36 in consolation game
Last PIAA appearance: 2013, lost to Southern Fulton in Class A quarterfinals
Team statistics: Offense (47.9 ppg), defense (36.1 ppg), free-throw percentage (.653)
Probable starting lineup: G Bailey Trell (sr., 5-4, 14.6 ppg), G Carmella Bickel (soph., 5-3, 15.1 ppg), G Krissy Komara (jr., 5-4, 4.2), F Selina Albert (fr., 5-8, 7.0), C Caitlin Funk (sr., 5-7, 5.8)
About the Beavers
Head coach: Patti Hower
How got here: Beat Harrisburg Academy 50-13, Halifax 53-45 and Christian School of York 40-20 to claim District 3 Class A championship
Last PIAA appearance: 2012, lost to Old Forge in Class A quarterfinals
Team statistics: Offense (46.7 ppg), defense (not provided), free-throw percentage (.540)
Probable starting lineup: G Mariah Sholly, G Monica Pastal, G Neesha Pierre, F Celine Mars, F Hayley Witmer
Key reserves: Hannah Callihan
Game notes
Lourdes is one of the strongest perimeter offensive teams in the Schuylkill League. … Trell is ninth in league scoring, third in 3-point shooting (2.5 per game) and 10th in free-throw percentage (.711). In the Raiders’ win over Sayre in District 4 consolation game, she set the school record for 3s in a season (62). … Lebanon Catholic won District 3 title for a record 17th time this season after finishing runner-up in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4. … Hower is in her 37th season coaching. She’s 667-346 overall. … Sholly, Pierre and Mars were all District 3 Tournament all-stars, and Witmer was the tournament’s MVP.
Directions to Lebanon High School: Take Interstate 81 South to Route 72 (Exit 90). Follow Route 72 South into City of Lebanon. Follow Route 72 through Lebanon until road becomes four-lane, then stay straight to go onto Cornwall Road. Turn left onto Hauck Street and right on South 8th Street. Lebanon High School will be on left.
Up next: Winner faces winner of West Catholic (12-1) and Williams Valley (11-2) in Wednesday’s second round.
— Compiled by Mike Wilson