A pair of District 10 girls’ bluebloods are vying for spots in the PIAA basketball championship games Monday in the semifinals.
In Class 2A, defending champion Kennedy Catholic, the D10 champion, gets a rematch with WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic. A year ago, the Eagles downed the Centurions, 56-44, en route to their first PIAA title since winning in 1A in 2001.
Up in Class 3A, D10 champion Mercyhurst Prep looks to secure its first title-game berth since 2011 when it takes on District 6 runner-up Westmont Hilltop.
CLASS 3A
MERCYHURST PREP (24-3) VS. WESTMONT HILLTOP (22-4)
When/Where: 7 p.m. at PennWest Clarion’s Tippin Gym
Winner gets: Winner of Loyalsock Township vs. Lancaster Catholic at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
How Mercyhurst Prep got here: The Lakers won the District 10 title and then beat OLSH, 40-37, Neshannock, 52-31, and Avonworth, 54-41, in the PIAA playoffs.
Westmont Hilltop got here: After losing the District 6 championship game to Forest Hills, their third loss of the year to Forest Hills, the Hilltoppers beat Beaver Falls, 57-36, Seton LaSalle, 54-48, and Shady Side Academy, 47-41, in the PIAA playoffs
Mercyhurst Prep key players: Oliva Kulyk (6-1 Sr., G/F), 18.1 ppg; Seana Thrower (5-5, Fr., G), 9.8 ppg; Mari Nixon (5-6, So. G), 8.8 ppg; Mia Mangini (5-7, Sr., G), 7.8 ppg
Westmont Hilltop key players Christiana Gordon (Jr., F) – Had 21 points, 12 rebounds in the win over Shady Side Academy and 16 points in the win over Seton LaSalle; Beth Buettner (Sr., G) – Had 19 points in a first-round PIAA win over Beaver Falls and 18 in the win over Seton LaSalle
Mercyhurst Prep PIAA Title Game History: 2011 – Lost 3A; 2008 – Lost 3A; 2005 – Won 3A; 2004 – Won 4A; 1991 – Won 3A; 1986 – Won 3A
Westmont Hilltop PIAA Title Game History: 2006 – Lost 2A; 2005 – Lost 2A
CLASS 2A
KENNEDY CATHOLIC (23-4) VS. GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC (23-6)
When/Where: 6 p.m. at North Allegheny High School
Winner gets: Winner of Marion Center vs, Minersville at Noon, Thursday, March 21 at Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
How Kennedy Catholic got here: The Eagles won the District 10 title then beat Fort Cherry, 68-24, Portage, 54-43, and Bishop McCort, 60-35, in the PIAA playoffs.
How Greensburg Central Catholic got here: The Centurions won the WPIAL title for the first time since 2007 and then beat Bellwood Antis, 59-27, West Middlesex, 54-45, and Everett, 56-26, in the PIAA playoffs.
Kennedy Catholic key players: Layke Fields (6-0, Jr., C), 20.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg, Shooting 68% from the field; Bella Magestor (5-8, So., G) 12.3 ppg, 5.6 apg; Monique Vincent (5-5, Jr., G) 11.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 71 3-pointers, Shooting 41% from 3-point range; Tori Harvey (5-8, Fr., G) 11.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.0 apg
Greensburg Central Catholic key players Erica Gribble (5-10, So., G) 20.2 ppg; Mya Morgan (5-8, Sr., G) 15.1 ppg; Avery Davis (5-8, Sr., G) 14.2 ppg.
Kennedy Catholic PIAA Title Game History: 2023 – Won Class 2A; 2022 – Lost Class 1A; 2001 – Won Class 1A; 1984 Lost Class 1A
Greensburg Central Catholic PIAA Title Game History: 1997 – Won 2A; 1996 – Lost 2A.
