Peters Township’s Journey
Unbeaten Indians show balance, gain berth in semifinals
Thompson, center, attempts to get around the Norwin defense in a PIAA quarterfinal game Friday at Keystone Oaks High School in Dormont.
Peters Township star Makenna Marisa was held scoreless in the first quarter of the Indians’ game Friday night. For most teams, that would spell disaster. For the Indians, it didn’t matter.
Peters Township started the game on a 12-0 run and rolled one step closer to a perfect season with a 64-47 triumph against Norwin in the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals at Keystone Oaks.
The Indians advanced to the semifinals to face the fifth-place team from District 5, Upper Dublin, Monday at a time and location yet to be determined.
“They were trying to contain [Marisa]. and we’ve been working hard in practice that when teams do that, someone else is open,” said Peters Township coach Bert Kendall.
“So, we just get open and know that Makenna will get you the ball, and she did. I think that took some of the strategy away from them and they had to go to some other things.”
The Indians (28-0) proved they can get points from more than just Marisa, their standout Penn State recruit. When Norwin focused on her, it opened up opportunities for others.
Sophomore guard Jordan Bisignani netted seven points and freshman Journey Thompson had four in the first quarter.
“They’re undefeated for a reason,” said Norwin coach Brian Brozeski. “They got a lot of good players, they got some size and they play their roles well. You can go ahead and try to take Marisa away, but there’s four other players ready to contribute. They came out well prepared and they were ready to come out with the gas pedal down full throttle, and they did that.”
Marisa heated up after that first quarter and wound up leading all scorers with 20.
“She wants this as bad as anybody, and it’s her last chance as a senior,” said Kendall. “She’s really done these things all year. When the game was on the line, we wanted the ball in her hands. The game was going through her at the end of the game, and that’s fine with me.”
Thompson finished with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Bisignani scored 13. Isabella Mills rounded out the doublefigures scorers with 11 points. She made all eight of her free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
The Knights were led by junior guard Jayla Wehner’s 12 points.
Norwin did not score until Jessica Kolasar worked her way inside for two points with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter. By halftime, Peters Township had built a 26-8 lead.
The Knights (23-3) scrapped back into the game in the third quarter. They began with a 6-0 burst and outscored the Indians, 21-15..
“Our defense started being able to turn them over a little bit more, and we were able to get a better flow that we wanted to have,” Brozeski said.
But the Indians never buckled and were not rattled by Norwin’s run.
“What was special about them was their ability to be controlled and patient,” said Brozeski. “One of the things about the high school game is you can get frustration built up. They were able to keep their composure. They are a veteran team and they did a nice job of keeping their composure.”
Peters Township extended its lead back into double digits with 45 seconds remaining in the third when Marisa scored a basket in the paint and was fouled. The ensuing free throw made it 39-27, and the Knights never made another run.
“The first half they didn’t have a 3, and I thought our defensive plan was spot on,” said Kendall.
“The second half, they got us on a pick-and-roll on the inside and our girls, naturally, wanted to help and they hit some 3s. Any good team is going to make a run at you, they just are. I thought we handled it well.”