In HAZLE TWP., Friday night marked Kaitlyn Bindas’ first time playing in the PIAA basketball playoffs, just like the rest of her Hazleton Area teammates.
She didn’t take long to make an impact.
The first-year player scored 20 of her 27 points in the initial half and played a significant role in the Cougar defense that effectively stopped Pennsbury, defeating the Falcons 63-48 in the initial round of the Class 6A girls playoffs.
In the first half, Bindas was a standout player, making five three-pointers as Hazleton Area took a commanding early lead that Pennsbury couldn’t overcome.
Bindas expressed her satisfaction, saying, “I felt great… that's what I've been working for, I’m always shooting and working at that. To come out hot, it feels amazing.”
Sophia Shults contributed 17 points and freshman Sophia Benyo added 10 for Hazleton Area while overpowering Pennsbury, the ninth-place team from District 1.
In the last two years, the District 1 ninth seed eliminated the District 2 champ from the competition, but it was evident from the beginning that this year would be different.
Bindas scored eight points in the first two minutes of the game, and the Cougars defense had Pennsbury looking bewildered, forcing numerous steals and taking advantage on the offensive end.
Hazleton led 10-2 before Pennsbury had to call their first timeout with 6:01 remaining in the first quarter.
Hazleton Area coach Joe Gavio stated, “I wanted a good start, and we got it. We hit them, and they kind of regrouped a little bit but our kids just made plays.”
The Falcons regrouped and managed to score well from beyond the arc with seven successful threes. However, turnovers continued to trouble them, and Hazleton Area capitalized on each one.
Sofia Vitucci led Pennsbury with 20 points, 15 of them in the initial half before a defensive adjustment limited her scoring in the second half.
Gavio explained, “We went to a box-and-one on Vitucci there because she was lighting us up. Kayla (Lagowy) did an unbelievable job on her.”
Hazleton Area continued to score consistently, with Benyo and Shults taking on more of the scoring responsibility to maintain a comfortable lead until the end.
The Cougars led by as many as 21 points in the final quarter before a few late baskets reduced the final lead to 15, which was still sufficient to secure Hazleton Area’s progression to the next round of the playoffs.
In the second round of the 6A playoffs, Hazleton Area will face District 12’s Cardinal O’Hara, scheduled for Tuesday at a yet-to-be-determined time and location. O’Hara defeated Upper Dublin in their first-round matchup on Friday to advance.
PIAA Class 6A Girls First Round
Hazleton Area 63, Pennsbury 48
PENNSBURY (48) — Panaro 0 0-0 0, Foote 2 0-0 5, Matthias 2 0-0 4, Sherman 1 0-0 3, Burns 1 0-0 2, Vitucci 6 6-8 20, Gilchrist 0 0-0 0, MacDonald 1 1-2 4, Hohman 3 2-2 10, Jordan 0 0-0 0, Haws 0 0-0 0, McKeever 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 9-12 48.
HAZLETON AREA (63) — Marolo 0 0-0 0, Benyo 4 2-2 10, Yost 0 0-0 0, Bindas 9 4-6 27, Williams 0 0-0 0, E. Shults 0 0-0 0, Lagowy 1 0-0 2, Reimold 3 0-0 7, S. Shults 7 0-0 17. Scores 24 points with 6 out of 8 shots made, totaling 63.
Pennsbury scored 11 points in the first quarter, 13 in the second, 10 in the third, and 14 in the fourth, totaling 48.
Hazleton Area scored 19 points in the first quarter, 20 in the second, 10 in the third, and 14 in the fourth, totaling 63.
Three-pointers made — PENN 7 (Vitucci 2, Hohman 2, Foote, Sherman, MacDonald), HAZ 9 (Bindas 5, Shults 3, Reimold).
