Mar 8, 2024 3 min read

The Peters Township girls basketball team, despite having suffered only two losses all season, had to take a four-hour bus trip to play their opening game in the PIAA Class 6A playoffs Friday night.

As far as the Indians are concerned, the trip was worth every second.

Peters Township’s dynamic duo of Gemma Walker and Natalie Wetzel combined for 51 points as the Indians defeated Lebanon 69-49 in a first-round game played on the Cedars’ home court.

Peters Township (24-2) advances to the second round Tuesday and will face District 1 runner-up Spring-Ford, a 71-37 winner over Northeastern.

Lebanon (22-4) was the third-place finisher in District 3 and the Cedars hung with Peters Township for a half. The Indians erupted for 25 points in the third quarter to take control of the game and added 21 more points in the fourth quarter.

Walker led the Indians in scoring with a game-high 30 points, which included 23 in the second half. Wetzel followed with 21 points.

Peters Township led 23-20 at halftime, using a three-pointer late in the second quarter by Bri Morreale to take the lead.

The Indians pushed the lead to double digits early in the third quarter and led 48-32 entering the fourth quarter. PT outscored Lebanon 25-12 in what was the pivotal third quarter. Walker had nine points in the period and Wetzel scored eight, including a pair of three-point baskets.

Lebanon was never able to get its deficit back to single digits. Peters Township was bale to protect the lead by going 11-for-11 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Wetzel made eight of those free throws.

Lili Harrison paced a balanced Lebanon attack with 16 points but she was held scoreless over the final eight minutes. Olive Brandt had 14 points, all coming in the second half. Kailah Correa added 11.

Kennedy Catholic 68, Fort Cherry 24

Fort Cherry’s breakthrough season ended on a sour note Friday night with a 68-24 loss at District 10 champion Kennedy Catholic in a Class 2A first-round game.

Fort Cherry’s season ends with a 19-8 record.

The Rangers hung with powerful Kennedy Catholic (21-4) for one quarter, trailing by only 16-9 after eight minutes.

Kennedy Catholic dominated over the next two quarters, with a 42-5 scoring edge to take a 58-14 lead.

Layke Fields led the winners in scoring with 28 points, 14 in each half. Kennedy catholic had four players score in double figures.

Raney Staub closed out an outstanding season for the Rangers by scoring 16 points, which included three three-point field goals. The Rangers were held to only seven field goals.

Elk County Catholic 45, Monessen 16

District 9 champion Elk County Catholic held Monessen to five points in the first half and went on to a 46-16 win in a PIAA Class A first-round game.

Elk County Catholic (26-2) led 10-2 after one quarter, 22-5 at halftime and 35-8 at the end of three periods.

Boys result

Elk County Catholic 85, Monessen 54

Elk County Catholic took control against Monessen in the second quarter and never looked back in defeating the visiting Greyhounds 85-54 in a Class A first-round game.

The loss ends the season for Monessen (20-6).

Elk County Catholic (25-2), the District 9 champion, led 19-12 after one quarter and began pulling away with a 23-15 scoring edge in the second period for a 44-27 halftime edge.