It’s been a magical season for the Port Allegany girls basketball team, one they hope to continue Saturday night in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs.
The Lady Gators (21-4) will play Penns Manor out of District 6 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (5 p.m.), with a trip to the ‘Sweet 16’ on the line.
It’s been a good week of practice since Saturday’s loss to Clarion in the District 9 Championship Game, according to coach Kristina Francis.
“We got everybody back healthy,” she said. “We took a day off to regroup and had a really good, intense practice tonight (Thursday). I’m very pleased.”
Port Allegany, making its first appearance in the PIAA playoffs since 2006, gets a Penns Manor team that boasts some similarities to them.
The two teams are almost even in points per game and each have a strong inside presence.
Senior, forward Krista Gillo averages more than 16 points per game, while senior guard Emma Myers also averages in double-figures. They are the only to seniors on PM’s roster, just like Port (Gabby Drabert, Rachel Taylor).
“They have a strong post player and another mature guard to lead them,” Francis said. “We’re going to be able to matchup inside with them with Brooke (Roys) on Gillo.”
Indeed the duo of Roys and forward Becca Lathrop have been a force underneath all season for Port Allegany, and will look to be again against the Lady Comets.
As for the guards, Krista Miller, Somer Buchsenchutz, McKenna Johnson and company have done an outstanding job all season long, helping limit opponents to 31.3 points per game.
“Krista had hounded everyone at the point all season long,” noted Francis. “Hopefully we have a little more depth.”
There is also the matter of playing on the big stage and bright lights of a state playoff game.
Francis feels her squad, with the experience they gained playing on the bigger court at Clarion, is prepared
“We feel a little bit more comfortable as far as what to expect,” she said. “As a coaching staff, I think we are more prepared too as far as adjustments that we need to make if we want to utilize our defenses.”
Another thing to watch will be the turnovers. Port’s defense forces a lot of them, but untimely turnovers on offense proved to be costly against Clarion.
If the Lady Gators’ defense sets the tone, like they have done all season, the magical ride has a great chance of continuing.
Port Allegany (9-2) vs. Penns Manor (6-3)
(Saturday, 5 p.m. @Pitt-Bradford)
PORT ALLEGANY (21-4)
Coach: Kristina Francis
Points Per Game: 48.0 Points Allowed: 31.3
Double-Digit Wins: 17
How they got here: Beat Venango Catholic in D-9 quarterfinals (45-35), Beat Keystone in D-9 semifinals (55-48), Lost to Clarion in D-9 Championship game (56-41)
Leading scorers: F Becca Lathrop (16.7), C Brooke Roys (7.7), G Somer Buchsenschutz (7.2), G/F Gabby Drabert (5.6)
PENNS MANOR (17-8)
Coach: Jason Miloser
Points Per Game: 49.5 Points Allowed: 43.0
Double-Digit Wins: 12
How they got here: Beat Conemaugh Valley in D-6 quarterfinals (63-48), lost to Bishop Guilfoyle in D-6 semifinals (53-17)
Leading scorers: F Krista Gillo (16.2), G Emma Myers (11.2), G Sarah Dabella (9.5)
Johnsonburg (9-4) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle (6-1)
(Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Altoona HS)
JOHNSONBURG (17-8)
Coach: Mike Zilkofski
Points Per Game: 47.3 Points Allowed: 35.5
Double-Digit Wins: 11
How they got here: Beat Elk County Catholic in D-9 quarterfinals (39-32), Lost to Clarion in D-9 seminfinals (58-48), Lost to Keystone in D-9 consolation game (52-46)
Leading scorers: C Brittany Watts (11.3), F Chelsea Benson (10.7), G Rhianon Fowler (7.6), F Kassa Kocjancic (7.3), G Kathryn Polaski (6.2)
BISHOP GUILFOYLE (24-2)
Coach: Mark Moschella
Points per game: 57.4 Points Allowed: 33.2
Double Digit Wins: 23
How they got here: Beat United in D-6 quarterfinals (53-27), Beat Penns Manor in D-6 semifinals (53-17), Beat Portage Area in D-6 championship game (61-39)
Leading scorers: G Halee Adams (15.9), G Kayla Bates (10.1), G Devin Stessney (8.8), F Elyssa Ehredt (7.4), G Brittany Boslet (6.7)
