In classic Schuylkill League fashion, the girls' semifinal matchup between the Marian Catholic Colts and the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes came down to the final minutes, delivering an electrifying contest for fans in attendance.
The game started with Schuylkill Haven jumping out to an early 5-0 lead, putting pressure on Marian Catholic. The Colts, however, found their rhythm three minutes into the quarter and quickly caught up, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle. By the end of the first quarter, Marian Catholic had edged ahead, leading 9-8.
The Colts extended their advantage in the second quarter, pushing their lead to 16-8 with 5:29 left in the half. But Schuylkill Haven responded with resilience, surging back to take a 21-18 lead at halftime.
The third quarter continued the nail-biting trend as both teams traded baskets. At the end of three, Schuylkill Haven maintained a slight edge, leading 30-27.
In the fourth quarter, it was Schuylkill Haven’s defense that took control of the game. The Hurricanes forced key turnovers and converted them into points, helping them build a 40-35 lead with about a minute left in regulation.
Marian Catholic fought until the final buzzer, sinking two free throws and a last-second shot to close the gap. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hurricanes’ lead, as Schuylkill Haven secured a hard-fought 41-39 victory.
With the win, Schuylkill Haven advances to the Schuylkill League Championship, where they will play North Schuylkill's Lady Spartans for the title on Friday night at 6:00 PM at Martz Hall in Pottsville.
Despite the loss, Marian Catholic’s season is far from over. The Colts remain the No. 1 seed in the upcoming District XI Class 2A tournament, set to begin next week.
Top Scorers:
Schuylkill Haven:
- Kylie Siket – 13 points
- Audrey Hutchinson – 11 points
- Anna Schaeffer – 10 points
Marian Catholic:
- Deanna Pugh – 14 points
- Addison Fritz – 13 points
- Addy Marek – 9 points
The stage is set for an exciting championship game as Schuylkill Haven looks to cap off their league run with a title.
Photos by Jocelyn Barrett/Danie Mae Photography
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