Berks Catholic tops Schuylkill Valley

Caraline Herb scores a game-high 17 points to lead the Saints over the Panthers

Berks Catholic outscored Schuylkill Valley by nine points in the third quarter to take control on the way to a 49-32 win Saturday in a Berks Girls Basketball League quarterfinal at Wolf Gymnasium.

The Saints (18-5) led by as much as 23 points in the second half en route to their 11th consecutive appearance in the semifinals.

“We picked them up at halfcourt for most of the second half and I thought we did a nice job,” Berks Catholic coach Bob Birmingham said. “We also did a really nice job pushing the ball down the floor in the second half and getting out in transition, which is what we do the best.”

Berks Catholic will face Reading High, a 45-22 winner over Brandywine Heights in another quarterfinal Saturday, in the semifinals Tuesday at Santander Arena, time to be announced.

Schuylkill Valley (11-11) started the game with consecutive 3-pointers to take its only lead at 6-4.

After that, the Panthers went cold from the field. The Saints capitalized by going on a 10-0 run and ended the first quarter leading 14-6. Gianna Roberts hit a layup as time expired.

In the second quarter, the Panthers fought back to make it competitive again.

Caitlyn Reali made back-toback 3-pointers and Schuylkill

Valley trailed just 24-19 at the half.

“We had some really good shots that just didn’t go down and that’s how basketball goes,” Schuylkill Valley Jason Bagenstose said. “I’m proud of their effort. The third quarter we just had a couple of breakdowns.”

In third, four Saints scored as they outscored the Panthers 11-2 to extend their lead to 35-21.

Natane White scored Schuylkill Valley’s only two points in the quarter.