Mar 10, 2015 5 min read

It was a victory that shocked the WPIAL basketball community and changed the outlook on a program that had been starving for success.

California’s girls basketball coach Chris Minerd recalls the large crowd on hand at Peters Township when the Trjoans faced third-seeded North Catholic in a WPIAL Class A quarterfinal playoff game last year.

Despite having two freshmen in the starting lineup, California prevailed, 45-43, to advance to the semifinals and clinch the program’s first state playoff appearance.

The Cinderella story did not have a happy ending. Turnovers cost California in the semifinals against Serra Catholic and again in a PIAA first-round loss against Kennedy Catholic.

The crushing blow did not have a lasting effect on a young group primed for a breakout season this year. The Trojans won 22 consecutive games and earned the third seed in the WPIAL playoffs. Coincidentally, they were placed on the same side of the bracket as North Catholic.

A potential rematch with second-seeded North Catholic was seen as a given. It never came to fruition. California suffered a heartbreaking loss to Riverview in the quarterfinals. The Raiders lost to eventual WPIAL runner up North Catholic in the semifinals.

The Trojans successfully navigated their way throught the new consolation bracket to grab the WPIAL’s fifth seed in the PIAA playoffs and earned the program’s first state playoff win over Venango Catholic last Saturday.

The victory brought a renewed sense of confidence to a group that spent much of the season among the top-10 teams in the state. It also set the stage for the Trojans’ long-awaited battle with North Catholic (21-6), which will finally occur today at Canon-McMillan (6 p.m.).

Minerd told his team last year that they have not seen the last of North Catholic.

“This is the matchup we should have had a couple weeks ago, honestly,” Minerd said. “We knew that even after last year’s game, no matter what the outcome was, I told my team that you are going to run into them again somewhere down the line because we were both young teams. It was inevitable.”

The journey toward a rematch took a few twists and turns, but the Trojans (25-2) got their wish. How they respond has yet to be seen, but being responsible with the basketball and playing strong interior defense will be necessary against North Catholic’s sophomore center Sam Breen, who averages 23.5 points per game.

With the growth seen in its guard play and the addition of senior center Lyndsey Huhn, California feels it is equipped to handle the up-tempo, pressure-heavy style North Catholic presents. The return and improved play of 6-1 sophomore forward Kylie Huffman, who underwent a minor knee procedure in the offseason, gives the Cal options inside.

“Everyone is back. Huffman and the rest are all a year older,” North Catholic head coach Molly Rottmann said of the Trojans. “Obviously adding Huhn gives them a dominant inside presence helps, and that helps create the outside shooting opportunities as well because you have to pick your poison. It’s going to be a tough game. You don’t win 22 in a row for nothing. You are doing something right.”

California has allowed just 25.2 points per game, despite starting a freshman guard and missing Huffman at the beginning of the season. Like North Catholic, Cal thrives in transition, but can play a slow-paced, physical game with Huhn.

North Catholic had only one senior on last season’s roster. Breen, who scored 29 points in the PIAA first-round win over Cochranton, has improved drastically since the loss to California and the team added freshman Mary Cassamassa.

“You can’t forget about any of them,” Minerd said. “When you have the players they have, you are going to try to limit the opportunities for their best player and take your chance with the others. We are going to try to cover everybody but the first priority is to try to contain Breen.”

Rottmann’s strategy is simple.

“Obviously, Huffman and Huhn are the two you really have to keep an eye on, know where they are at and don’t give them any easy looks,” Rottmann said. “We would like to try and run if we can. We are going to have to create some offense through our defense.

For the first time in program history, the McGuffey girls basketball team advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

Led by senior forward Sammie Weiss, a California University recruit, and senior guard Rachel Czulewicz, the Highlanders (20-8) defeated South Fayette last Saturday to set up a matchup with West Perry (24-3) in the second round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

The Mustangs, who are the fourth-place team from District 3, upset District 5 champion Forest Hills at the Altoona Fieldhouse. McGuffey will look to make its first trip to the PIAA quarterfinals when it squares off with West Perry tonight at Altoona Area High School (6 p.m.).

West Perry’s roster features seven seniors, including forward Madison Ulrich, who led the Mustangs with 19 points against Forest Hills.