The Wyoming Valley Conference had a tough time in the second round of the PIAA state basketball playoffs. Six teams went into the second round, but only two came out successfully: the Holy Redeemer girls and the MMI Prep boys.
Now, both teams will be playing in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Holy Redeemer last reached the semifinals in Class 2A in 2015, where it was defeated by Neumann-Goretti. MMI Prep was not even part of District 2 when it made its first and only trip to the semifinals in 1973. The Preppers, who were in District 11 at the time, went on to win the Class C (now Class A) state championship.
Two boys teams from the Lackawanna League will be playing in a quarterfinal doubleheader at Bethlehem Freedom High School. Undefeated Abington Heights will play Imhotep Charter at 6 p.m. in a Class 5A game, followed by Scranton Prep against Neumann-Goretti at 7:30 p.m. in a 3A game.
Holy Redeemer (23-5) vs. Loyalsock (26-3)
Girls Quarterfinals in Class 3A
Friday at 7:30 p.m.
At Hazleton Area High School
Loyalsock, the second seed from District 4, has been in the state playoffs for eight consecutive years. They have only reached the quarterfinals one other time, which was in 2021 when only district champions competed in the states due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancers started in the quarterfinals that year.
Loyalsock defeated Lake-Lehman, the third seed from District 2, 59-32 in the second round, making it the Lancers’ fourth double-digit win over a Wyoming Valley Conference opponent this season. They also beat Crestwood, Dallas, and Nanticoke Area.
Alaina Dadzie, an inside player, scored 13 of her 24 points in the first quarter as Loyalsock took control early. Lacey Kriebel added 17. The Lancers have good size and everyone in the lineup can handle the ball. Dadzie was just as comfortable on the outside as she was in the paint.
Loyalsock also caused 24 turnovers. Instead of immediately applying relentless pressure, the Lancers’ press focuses on trapping the player receiving the inbound pass and forcing a bad decision. Coach Curtis Jacobson said they used 10 different defenses against Lehman.
After a somewhat slow 45-30 win in the first round against Bloomsburg, District 2 champion Redeemer crushed York Catholic, the third seed from District 3, 73-41. The Royals led 46-24 at halftime on their way to their highest points total of the season.
McKenzie Chimock (15), Bella Boylan (13), Gillian Parsons (11), and Lucie Racicky (10) were the top scorers. Against Bloomsburg, it was Megan Albrecht and Angelina Corridoni, showing that Redeemer has many players who can score.
Redeemer also enjoys employing pressure, but their approach is a bit different from Loyalsock’s, as it's more direct. The teams are quite familiar with each other, having played against each other twice in summer league games.
The winner will play in the semifinals on Monday against either District 4 champion Hughesville (24-4) or District 3 champion Lancaster Catholic (23-2).
MMI Prep (16-10) vs. Linville Hill Christian (22-1)
Boys Quarterfinals in Class A
Friday at 6 p.m.
At Martz Hall, Pottsville
Linville Hill Christian, the three-time District 3 champion, is making its third consecutive appearance in the state quarterfinals. The Warriors lost in the state semifinals last year, but the starting lineup is somewhat different.
Linville Hill advanced to Friday’s game after defeating Bethlehem Christian 83-57 in the second round. Meanwhile, MMI Prep also won against Bethlehem Christian 59-55 in the D2/11 Class A subregional semifinals.
Linville Hill junior Stephen Smucker had an average of 18.8 points before the state tournament. He reached his 1,000th point in the opening round. Junior Derian Peterseim has an average of 14 points and is skilled at making 3-pointers with 66 baskets from beyond the arc heading into states. Junior Giovanni Sejuste also has a similar average, while junior Jermone Stoltzfus is also a threat from the 3-point line.
The Warriors have achieved impressive offensive statistics, scoring over 90 points four times. Unlike MMI Prep, however, they rarely played against Class A teams during the regular season.
As the WVC’s sole Class A school, MMI competed against Class 4A schools for most of its divisional schedule. The Preppers performed well, finishing tied for third place in Division 2.
MMI’s success is not surprising as the team was constructed for this season with seniors Brendon Brobst, Reed Floryshak, Lex Lispi, and Ryan Sones, along with junior Nick Pantages in the starting lineup. Brobst scored 23 points in a 39-35 victory over High Point Baptist in the second round.
The victorious team will compete in the semifinals on Monday against either District 3 fifth seed Lancaster Country Day (18-9) or District 5 champ Berlin Brothersvalley (26-2).
Saturday’s Schedule
While no WVC teams will be playing in Saturday’s quarterfinals, five from the Lackawanna League will, including a doubleheader at Hazleton Area High School.
At Hazleton Area, District 2 champion Mountain View will play District 4 champion St. John Neumann in a Class A girls game at 1 p.m. District 2 champion Scranton Prep will play District 4 champion Central Columbia at 2:30 p.m. in a Class 4A girls game.
There is also a doubleheader at Easton Middle School. At 1 p.m., District 2 champion Scranton will play District 12 champion Archbishop Wood in a Class 5A girls game. The District 2 champion Holy Cross boys will play District 1 champion Dock Mennonite at 2:30 p.m.
The District 2 second seed Abington Heights girls will face District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic in a Class 5A game at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Valley High School.
