McKeesport has no answer for Biel
Cathedral Prep forward scores first 10 points vs. Tigers in 35-20 win
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Cathedral Prep coach Doug Chuzie has a pair of athletes committed to play at NCAA Division I schools in guards Jayden McBride (Georgetown) and Lena Walz (St. Bonaventure). Forward Addie Biel, however, isn’t someone opposing teams should forget about in the scouting report.
The 6-foot-2 junior didn’t wait around to make an impact in Tuesday night’s PIAA Class 5A girls semifinal game. In fact, Biel put the Ramblers on her back in the opening half by scoring her team’s first 10 points of the game, while securing countless rebounds under both baskets. The junior’s game-high 17 points fueled the Ramblers ( 23- 3) in a 35- 20 victory against the McKeesport Tigers (24-5) Tuesday night in Slippery Rock, clinching a spot in the 5A state title game.
“Today was Addie Biel’s day,” Chuzie said. “She was able to dominate inside and she made some big plays for us. It doesn’t surprise us because we get a chance to see her every day in practice.”
The Ramblers opened the game on an 8-2 run in the first five minutes. Although McKeesport was able to rattle off four straight points to get within two in the final minute of the first quarter, Cathedral Prep’s relentless defense put the momentum to an end soon after. The effort culminated in the second quarter when they held the Tigers scoreless for the entire eight minutes.
“Our saying is always, ‘It starts on defense,’” Biel said.
Biel and McBride dominated the boards for Cathedral Prep, earning the Ramblers several extra looks on offense and ending defensive possessions after a single McKeesport shot.
“I got a lot of extra points [off of rebounds,]” Biel said. “Having my teammates trust me to pass the ball and make foul shots when I did is an amazing feeling.”
Oftentimes on offense, the Ramblers’ best offense was on a missed shot as McKeesport was unable to contain Biel, who was often able to kick the ball out to a perimeter shooter or finish around the rim herself.
“Anytime you can get extra possession, the odds are in your favor,” Chuzie said.
“It’s something that we stress. If you can win the rebounding battle, then you put yourself in a position to succeed.”
“It all starts with heart and effort,” Chuzie added. “Our girls communicate really well. They’ve played together for a very long time. They’re attention to detail and they’re want-to … We get asked year after year, ‘Well, how did you do this defensively?’ It’s heart, it’s effort and it’s the kids we have. I don’t think it’s a special scheme of any sort. It’s what our kids do.”
Walz finished with 13 points, while McBride had four. For McKeesport, senior guards Brooke Evans and Rachael Manfredo both had six points.
“The first feeling we have is excitement and elation for [our] kids, especially for [our] seniors,” Chuzie said. “The second feeling you have is you look over at the other bench. I’ve been there. Hats off to [McKeesport coach Matt Miller] and hats off to all of their seniors. Wonderful season for them.”
After falling in the state playoffs the past two seasons, the Ramblers have yet another chance to finish a season on top of Pennsylvania state basketball. And although she still has one more season as a Cathedral Prep athlete, Biel wants to make sure she sends her upperclassman off the right way.
“It’s so exciting,” she said. “It’s just an amazing feeling to go there with my family and compete one more time with the seniors.”
Biel and the Ramblers will go up against the Archbishop Wood Vikings for the Class 5A state title at 6 p.m. Saturday in Hershey, Pa.