Wyomissing earns redemption, defeats North Catholic in PIAA Class 4A playoffs

Spartans advance to the state semifinals for the third time in program history

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

WINGATE >> One year ago, Wyomissing suffered a blowout loss to North Catholic in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 4A girls basketball playoffs at Bald Eagle Area High School.

On Saturday, the Spartans returned to the same gym to face the same opponent, determined to remove the sour taste that had resided in their mouths for a year.

Wyomissing successfully got its revenge, defeating the Trojanettes 61-46 in a PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal in front of a large contingent of traveling Spartans fans.

“For them to respond the way they did, they played wonderfully,” Wyomissing coach Aaron Anders said. “They just played an amazing game, offensively and defensively, and I could not be more proud of these kids.”

After falling one win short a year ago, the undefeated Spartans (31-0) will advance to the state semifinals for the third time in program history, joining the 2004 and 1981 teams. Wyomissing has never won a state semifinal.

“It’s amazing,” senior Annie McCaffrey said. “We’ve had this goal since the beginning of the season.”

The two-time defending Berks and District 3 champions, the Spartans will play Blackhawk, the District 7 runner-up, in the semifinals on March 19 at a time and location to be determined. Blackhawk beat District 10 champion Fairview 43-19 in a quarterfinal on Saturday.

“Their patience and their poise is really coming to the forefront right now,” Anders said. “In order for us to continue to move forward, in order for us to be successful Tuesday, we have to do that as well.”

Wyomissing’s poise was on full display Saturday, as the Spartans were eventually able to settle in and take control of the game. The two teams played an even first quarter and the score was tied 11-11 after eight minutes of play.

Wyomissing then hit its stride, starting the second quarter with an 11-4 run to grab the lead — which it never relinquished. The Spartans led 29-22 at the half thanks to some crucial

points off turnovers.

“We really slowed it down,” junior Audrey Hurleman said about the second quarter. “We just moved the ball a lot more and we found the open cutters.”

Wyomissing remained in control during the third quarter and led 43-30 heading into the fourth. McCaffrey finished with 13 points, all of which came in the first three quarters.

“She’s a monster,” Anders

said about McCaffrey. “She’s an all-county player.”

The District 7 champion, North Catholic (19-8) showed some signs of life in the fourth quarter, going on a 6-0 run to keep the game within reach. Senior Alayna Rocco led the Trojanettes with 20 points.

Despite North Catholic’s scoring burst, the Spartans led by three possessions or more throughout the fourth quarter to seal the win. They ended the game on a 9-4 run.

“It was a lot of teamwork and communication that kept us in this game,” junior

Amaya Stewart said. “We turned the ball over a couple times, but as the game developed, we just grew as a team. “

Stewart led Wyomissing with 24 points, including 17 in the second half. She finished 10-of-11 from the foul line.

“I was just keeping it simple today,” Stewart said. “A lot of patience on offense and the game will come to me.”

Hurleman finished with 10 points and recorded several pivotal steals on defense. Saturday marked her fourth game in double figures in the Spartans’ last five

playoff games.

“The fact that she’s scoring right now is just putting us in a position to continue to move on,” Anders said about Hurleman.

Saturday’s result also marked the first time Wyomissing has scored 60 or more points in back-toback games this season. After reaching the benchmark only twice in the regular season, the Spartans’ offense is clicking at a crucial time.

“We’re moving the ball a lot more,” Stewart said. “We’re finding the open spots, we’re looking for our ‘bread and butter.’”