Freedom rallies, wins in overtime
Harris, Mohrbacher come up big to send Bulldogs to Class 2A semis
Despite having its top scorer out of the lineup, Freedom girls basketball rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to record a 45-41 overtime win against Chartiers-Houston in a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal game Wednesday at Moon High School.
Freedom was without senior Shaye Bailey, who finished the regular season tied for fifth in the WPIAL in scoring with 21.7 points per game. Bailey is out indefinitely with a collarbone injury sustained in Freedom’s last regular-season game.
Freedom (19-4), seeded No. 2 in the 16-team bracket, trailed most of the game. A rebound and putback by Freedom’s Cassidy Harris with 5 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime.
Julie Mohrbacher hit four foul shots in the four-minute overtime period to provide the deciding points, while the Bulldogs held the Buccaneers to one point.
Mohrbacher topped Freedom with 22 points and 13 rebounds, but connected on only 11 of 21 foul shots. Morgan Keller added 12 points for the Bulldogs, while Olivia Henderson contributed seven points, all in the second half, including two key 3-pointers.
Chartiers-Houston (16-8), the No. 7 seed, was led by freshman Ali Wingard who had 15 points before fouling out with 2:30 left in regulation.
Freedom will face Aliquippa in the semifinals on Saturday at a site to be determined.
Other Class 2A games Aliquippa 60, Serra Catholic 56:
The No. 11-seeded Quips (12-9) recorded their second upset in six days with an overtime win against the No. 3 seeded Eagles (17-3) in a quarterfinal game at Chartiers Valley. Aliquippa knocked off No. 6 seed Washington in the opening round Friday. Aunesty Johnson topped the Quips with 23 points, while teammate Angel Henry added 20. Cate Clarke and Brianna Battles each scored 16 points for Serra.
Burgettstown 50, Greensburg C.C. 45:
The No. 5seeded Blue Devils (19-5) had three players score in double figures — Jill Frazier (16), Kaitlyn Nease ( 13) and Addie Cairns (11) — in their minor upset of the No. 4 Centurions (19-5) in a quarterfinal game at Peters Township. Erica Gribble led Greensburg Central with 19 points, while Mya Morgan and Avery Davis added 12 each.
Shenango 43, Brentwood 39:
The top-seeded Wildcats (20-4) held off a late rally by the No. 8 seeded Spartans (13-10) to pull out a narrow victory in a quarterfinal game at Beaver High School. Emilee Fedrizzi topped Shenango with 16 points, while Kylee Rubin added 11. Shenango will face Burgettstown in Saturday’s semifinals.
Class 3A Laurel 45, Keystone Oaks 44:
Regan Atkins scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the No. 2 seeded Spartans (22-2) rallied from a 31-18 halftime deficit to narrowly defeat the No. 7-seeded Golden Eagles (16-8) in a quarterfinal game at Beaver High School. Laurel outscored Keystone Oaks 12-2 in the final quarter. Kendra Ruperto providing the deciding point with a foul shot with 8.9 seconds left. Johnna Hill contributed 12 points for the Spartans. Eriona Neal topped Keystone Oaks with 16 points and Bailey Rieg had 11. Laurel will make its fourth semifinal appearance in five years on Saturday against Neshannock.
Neshannock 51, Mohawk 36:
The No. 3- seeded Lancers (18-6) advanced to the semifinals for the sixth time in seven years with a win against the No. 11 seeded Warriors (15-9) in a quarterfinal game played at Union High School. Megan Pallerino topped Neshannock with 17 points and Mairan Haggerty added 16. Alexa Kadilak paced Mohawk with 14 points, while Erynne Capalbo chipped in 12. Neshannock will face Laurel for the third time in Saturday’s semifinals. The two teams split two section games during the regular season.
Shady Side Academy 49, Waynesburg 19:
Maggie Spell tallied 21 points and connected on three 3-pointers, while Karis Thomas added 18, including five 3s, as the top-seeded Bulldogs (22-2) dominated the Raiders ( 20- 4). The victory earns Shady Side Academy its first semifinal berth since 2019. The Bulldogs will play No. 4 seed Avonworth on Saturday. Kaley Rohanna led Waynesburg with seven points.