Crusaders ace big test
Bishop Canevin slips into PIAA final
Every time Bishop Canevin’s Shamyjha Price had a big defensive play or scored a basket, a roar filled the gymnasium. The crowd was very into the game, too.
Price was a powder keg of emotion who punctuated her big plays with fist pumps and bursts of cheers as the Crusaders won a thriller against West Shamokin, 43-39, at North Allegheny to earn a spot in the PIAA Class 3A championship game.
“I play with emotion a lot,” said Price, who had 12 points and five rebounds. “When I'm going to the hoop and blocking shots, I just like to get my team hyped. It’s how I play.”
Price’s biggest play was a steal at half-court and ensuing layup that capped a 9-0 fourth-quarter run to give the Crusaders a lead they would not relinquish, despite the best efforts of the Wolves.
West Shamokin’s Shelby Clowser nailed a pair of 3-pointers, one with 30 seconds remaining and one with 3.1 seconds left.
Each of those 3s made it a one-possession game and forced the Wolves to foul, which put Brionna Allen on the line both times. She made all four free-throw attempts in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
“She leads us,” said Bishop Canevin coach Tim Joyce. “She goes to the line and she hit them. It’s what a big-time player does.”
The Crusaders did not have a great night shooting, converting just 15 of 42 attempts.
“I just took my time, took a couple deep breaths and did what I know how to do,” said Allen, a junior guard.
Allen finished with a game-high 15 points, followed by Price with 12 and Sarah Green with 10.
West Shamokin’s Clowser did not miss a shot and netted 13.
Both teams combined for 23 turnovers in a messy first half. Bishop Canevin held the lead until early in the third quarter when Clowser hit a 3-pointer to make it 21-20.
Despite the turnovers and shaky shooting, Bishop Canevin found a way to win. Pressing and other defensive pressure sparked that 9-0 fourthquarter run.
“That came from defense,” said Allen. “A couple steals, Shamyjha went up with the layups. That gave us more confidence, and we really wanted this.”
Before this test, the Crusaders had cruised to the WPIAL title and PIAA semifinals, beating every opponent by double digits.
The Crusaders (22-5) will face Neumann-Goretti at noon Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey. Bishop Canevin last won a PIAA title in 2013.