Snyder, Cassel are ‘two’ much for Becahi
Senior duo lead Spartans with a combined 41 points to defeat Golden Hawks.
Olivia Snyder and Ellie Cassel — two of the keys to Southern Lehigh’s four-year girls’ basketball dynasty — were too much for Bethlehem Catholic on Saturday.
The four-year varsity starters tallied 41 of the Spartans’ 52 points in the matinee at Bethlehem Catholic.
Snyder, a guard, helped break the Golden Hawks’ full-court press while scoring 30 points in a 52-42 victory over a Golden Hawks team (13-2) that hadn’t lost to a Lehigh Valley opponent. Snyder scored in transition, on inbounds plays under her basket and on side-out-ofbounds back screens.
“She’s one heck of a player,” said Becahi coach Jose Medina. “At times it looked like it was one on five. Credit to her. She’s an exceptional talent.”
As is her signature, Snyder also canned several of her picturesque pullup jump shots.
Snyder also delivered a smooth stroke by canning eight of nine free throws as the Spartans (12-3) beat Becahi for the second time in four years, the other coming in the 2016 District 11 playoffs.
Cassel and Snyder are the vestiges of a dynasty nearing its end. They know how to win and are used to making the key plays.
“We believed,” said Snyder, a Georgetown University commit, “and we did it.”
Cassel, also a starter on that 2015-16 team as a freshman, scored 11 points Saturday. The 6-foot center also assisted on four baskets, blocked seven shots, and hauled in 12 rebounds.
The Division III recruit moved to within 116 points of hitting 1,000 for her career. Snyder already has it.
In the first quarter, the teams tied at 11 with Snyder scoring all 11 Spartan points. She added eight more in the second quarter as the Spartans pulled ahead 27-18 at the half.
Cassel added four points and three assists as the Spartans repeatedly beat the quicker Golden Hawks in transition. Southern Lehigh finished well on drives to compensate for 20 turnovers through three quarters against Becahi’s fullcourt press.
The Spartans deftly passed over the press to Snyder and Cassel out of their four-across press breaker. Their individual skills allowed them to win the ball in the air and turn to make a play at the basket. Snyder rarely faced double teams.
Playing an extending 3-2 zone, Southern Lehigh’s defense forced Becahi into several contested or rushed three-pointers. Cassel set up on the weak side and waited for misses.
When Becahi drove the ball into the paint, Cassel altered or blocked shots. As dominant as Snyder was on offense, Cassel was equally controlling on defense.
Becahi rallied in the second half, scoring the first six points to pull within three. In the fourth quarter, the Hawks pulled to within two points on three occasions. The last time came with 4:11 remaining when freshman Kourtney Wilson scored to make it 39-37.
Southern Lehigh stayed ahead by going 13 for 16 at the free-throw line from there. Snyder, Cassel and junior Taylor Moncman each went 4 for 4.
The Spartans could credit their difficult nonleague schedule for holding on Saturday to beat a top-tier team like Becahi. Sophomore Jeanne Rautureau played tenacious defense, deflecting passes and dribbles at the top of the key.
Southern Lehigh opened the season with a three-point loss to Archbishop Carroll. Notre Dame beat them by three to end the Spartans’ 69-game Colonial League winning streak. They lost to Eastern Pennsylvania Conference power Nazareth by two. And they still have to make up a postponed game against EPC power Parkland.
“We could have won those games,” said Snyder. “I think that helped us win today’s game.”
Becahi has done well overcoming the loss of all-state player Taliyah Medina. She injured her knee before the season.
Medina said his young team has to “piece it together” this year. Junior point guard Jaleesa Lanier scored nine points. Briana Barnard added 8 and Wilson, a freshman, had 7.
Up next
Solehi faces Northwestern Tuesday.