Upper Dublin flies into states

Cardinals top CB East, advance to 6A 9th place game

UPPER DUBLIN » Central Bucks East was unshakeable for three quarters, but Upper Dublin broke free in the fourth, finding its way to a state-tournament berth Wednesday night.

By the time Jess Polin found Nicole Kaiser driving the baseline for an easy two, an already raucous crowd could officially start to celebrate on “Fan Appreciation Night.”

Upper Dublin’s 55-34 victory over East sends the Cardinals to the District 1-6A ninth place game Friday against Perkiomen Valley, a 60-53 winner over Downingtown East. The Patriots faces Downingtown East to decide the 11th and final spot in states.

Ninth-seeded Upper Dublin (21-5) outscored the 12th-seeded Pats 22-5 in the fourth quarter.

Polin got it going with a three, then used a pretty drive down the lane to extend the lead. Kaiser scored off a rebound and the margin was at double digits.

Kaiser scored a game-high 23 points for Upper Dublin and Jackie Vargas added 10 underneath.

The two teams went back and

forth through a tight first quarter.

A deep three by Bailey McManus gave the Patriots (16-10) a 10-6 lead before Upper Dublin went on an 8-1 run that overlapped into the second.

A nifty drive to the hoop by Sarah Eskew got it started, and the Cardinals closed out the first quarter when a persistent Vargas followed up her own rebound to give Upper Dublin a 1211 edge.

Kaiser continued her strong play, hitting a three to give the Cards a 17-15 lead early in the second. A drive by Kaiser, who had 13 points in the first half, widened the margin to 2115. Back came East. McManus continued to hit threes, sinking two in a row to tie the contest at 21.

Eskew drove the baseline, scored and was fouled, and she hit the ensuing free throw to give Upper Dublin a 24-21 advantage. Skylar Krause hit a baby jumper for East, making it a 24-23 game at the half.

Upper Dublin led by as many as eight in the third. Kaiser scored off a rebound, Dayna Balasa hit a three, ushering in chants of “she’s a freshman,” and Vargas later found Balasa down low.

But East came back again, baskets by Caroline Pla and Gina Russo drawing the Pats to within 33-29 after three.