Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
D-East, ‘Stoga set for district quarters
Cougars host No. 13 Neshaminy while Pioneers travel to No. 2 Perkiomen Valley
UWCHLAN>> The goal of clinching a state playoff berth is completed for Downingtown East and Conestoga.
The next goal for the Cougars and Pioneers... play in the District 1 Class AAAA Final Four at Council Rock South.
No. 12 East hosts No. 13 Neshaminy in the District 1 Class AAAA quarterfinals while No. 7 Conestoga heads to No. 2 Perkiomen Valley.
The Cougars seek their second consecutive district semifinal appearance while the Pioneers are looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time this millennium.
Here is a preview of tonight’s District 1 Class AAAA quarterfinal games:
(13) Neshaminy (20-4, Suburban One League
National Conference) at (12) Downingtown East (19-7, Ches-Mont League), 7 p.m.
LAST ROUND >> Downingtown East shot 19 of 26 from the line, including 6 of 7 in the final 1:31, to hold off No. 28 Council Rock North 43-37 in the District 1 Class AAAA second round to clinch a second consecutive PIAA Class AAAA state playoff berth. Neshaminy upset No. 4 Mount St. Joseph’s 48-40 in the second round of districts to clinch a state playoff berth. NESHAMINY STARTERS (PROJECTED) >> Morgan Golden-baum (Sr.), Ali Harvey (Fr.), Devon Storms (Jr.), Brooke Mullin (Fr.), Emily Alexis (Jr.). DOWNINGTOWN EAST STARTERS (PROJECTED) >> Aryah Aungst (Sr., 7.9 ppg), Dani Tyrell (So., 4.1 ppg), Paige Warfel (Sr., 15.2 ppg), Lindsay Kent (Sr., 4.3 ppg), Laura Ochsner (Sr., 8.8 ppg).
Going in (Downingtown East)
The Cougars are hosting their third straight home game in the District 1 Class AAAA playoffs, which is a rarity for a No. 12 seed. Tonight will be the final home game for Paige Warfel, Aryah Aungst and the five Downingtown East seniors, which have a Ches-Mont National Division title (2014), a District 1 Class AAAA third place finish (2015), two state playoff appearances (2015, 2016) and a 55-22 record over the past three years.
“Honestly, it’s going to be more sad than anything knowing this is the last game I’ll play in this gym,” Warfel said. I don’t think we’ll be any more motivated because of that. We just have to win.”
“We want to make this one special,” Aungst said. “This is our last home game of the year. We’re going to come out hard knowing that this is it for the seniors in this gym.”
East reached the district quarterfinals last year and pulled off a stunning upset at Mount St. Joseph’s. This year, the tables are turned as the Cougars are the lower seed, hosting Neshaminy which upset No. 4Mount St. Joseph’s in the second round.
“Neshaminy is a very balanced teamand they’re 20-5 for a reason,” said Downingtown East head coach Tom Schurtz. “In terms of their size, that will present some interesting matchups for us. Our size and mobility on the wing has helped us and will continue to do so. The teamthat comes out on top will be the one thatdoes the intangibles well... the screen up top, that diving for a loose ball, hitting free throws. They all add up.
“You have to respect their will to win. Any team that loses their first three games out of the gate and still wins 20 games at this point is a force to be reckoned with.”
Unlike East’s first two district games, Neshaminy has the size to matchup with the Cougars in the post. A challenge that East will inherit as the Cougars seek to spread the floor.
“We’re going to have to look for our 3-pointers,” Warfel said. “We can’t have them clogging the paint. Laura (Ochsner) and Lindsay (Kent) need to get open. Ifwe can hit those shots, that will happen and improve our chances of winning.”
“They’re a bigger teamso we’re hoping to run around their zone,” Aungst said. “Our athleticism should pay off, which should lead to us earning open shots.”
Rundown
Neshaminy poses some matchup problems for East with its size. The engine of the Redskins is Golden-baum, who averages 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Look for Tyrell to guard her on the perimeter and Kent to spy her in the paint. Harvey is the team’s outside scoring threat, leading Neshaminy with 13 points a game. Aungst will mainly be responsible for her. The Cougars’ athleticism should play in their favor as they prefer to spread the floor against a bigger opponent. Aungst, Kate Crum (6.5 ppg) and Warfel should earn looks on the perimeter. East will seek the quick basket, led by Warfel driving the lane and seeking the kick out to Aungst, Crum or Tyrell. Storms will play the post for the Redskins. A battle could ensue for points in the paint with her and Ochsner.
(7) Conestoga (20-5, Central League) at (2) Perkiomen Valley (242, Pioneer Athletic Conference), 6 p.m.
LAST ROUND >> Ellie Mack had 16 points and 11 rebounds as Conestoga rallied in the second half and held off No. 10 Central Bucks West 51-43 in the District 1 Class AAAA second round to clinch its first PIAA Class AAAA playoff berth since 2007. Perkiomen Valley defeated No. 18 Abington 52-39 in the second round to clinch its first state playoff berth in school history. CONESTOGA STARTERS (PROJECTED) >> Sarah Mascioli (Jr., 4.4 ppg), Sondra Dickey (Jr., 4.3 ppg), Maria Koblish (So., 9.6 ppg), Liz Atwood (Sr., 2.9 ppg), Ellie Mack (Sr., 17.0 ppg). PERKIOMEN VALLEY STARTERS (PROJECTED)>> KT Armstrong (Sr.), Hanan Richmond (Jr.), Megan Jonassen (Sr.) Tori Walter (So.), Taylor Hamm (So.).
Going in (Conestoga)
The Pioneers are seeking their first district semifinal appearance this century, but have a tall task against Perkiomen Valley, which is a prime contender for the District 1 Class AAAA title. Conestoga is without Liz Scott for the game, who suffered an ankle injury in the second round win over Central Bucks West.
Armstrong and her 15.6 points per game lead Perkiomen Valley, but the Vikings are hardly a one-player show. Jonassen averages 13.5 points at forward while Richmond has 8.4 points at point guard.
“They are a very complete team with good shooters, great rebounders, and a lot of wins under their belt,” said Conestoga head coach Chris Jeffries. “It is a very tall task forus to reach the Final Four. We must focus on rebounding the ball and defending the lane.”
Rundown
Armstrong is the vocal point of the Perkiomen Valley offense and has the ability to score in the paint and on the perimeter. Look for Mack to watch Armstrong. The two players are familiar with each other from playing on the same AAU team. Koblish has been the reliable second scorer for Conestoga. Richmond is one of the quickest defensive players in the district and will be responsible to shut down the perimeter. With Scott out, Conestoga will need to find a third scoring option and a defensive post presence to contain Jonassen. Atwood likely will get the first shot in the post. Mascioli and Dickey’s quickness with the ball should benefit against the Vikings aggressive defense.