It’s been a great year for these young cats.

Continuing the girls basketball winning streak they took on Mohawk January 31. The game started slowly, and the girls weren’t getting many chances to score being down by 10 points in the first half. But they managed to find their drive in the second half to make a comeback and win 64-30.

Next up was senior night February 4 against Freedom. Quamille Monterio is the one senior on the young team but a senior who made a big impact in all games. After the recognition ceremony, the game again started slowly, but with encouragement from all teammates the girls were able to secure another solid win 66-37.

“We wanted to win this game for Millie,” remarked freshman Payton List.

February 7 they traveled to Beaver Falls. This game was a change of pace for the girls as they had a very good game all around after uneven play in the prior two games. They were able to get off numerous shots. List with 15 points, sophomores Anna Blum with 13 points and Emma Pavelek with 18 points were on fire! Other contributors were Monterio with 3 points and sophomore Maddie Weiland with 3 points as well. The girls ended with a score of 53-36 taking the win.

“We focused on a lot of our defense, and it paid off. They have some good players that can get to the rim, but we did our job by shutting them out,” proudly remarked Pavelek.

Closing out the regular season, the girls took on Mohawk a second time February 9. It was a slow start to the game yet again, but girls got a fire lit under them and finished the game with a score of 43-41 to win the game.

February 20 the girls traveled to Peters Township to begin their post season in the playoffs. They played at 6 p.m. and took on the East Allegheny Wildcats.

Head coach Greg Huston had high hopes his team: “We’re hoping to make a good run and feel like we have the team to do that. It’ll take a lot of hard work and effort, but this team is committed to doing what it takes to get back the WPIAL championship game again this year.”

Thanks to all of the girls’ hard work leading up to their playoff game they ended with a win of 51-42! They took an early lead 11-8 in the first quarter and kept the lead into halftime.

Two of the Wildcats’ best players reached foul trouble early on so the girls continually tried to attack them at the hoop hoping to make them foul out.

“Anna Blum, Natalie Priest, and Maddi Weiland each knocked down critical shots we needed to keep the lead, and Quamile Monterio and Payton List rebounded like crazy. I think the rebounding we did last night was the reason we won,” excitedly commented Pavelek.

Monterio and List both had 5 rebounds each to win the ball back for the team.

The top scorer for the night was Pavelek with 28 points followed by Weiland with 9, Blum with 8, Priest with 5, and Monterio with 1. It was a great team effort for the girls and displayed much of the team’s talent.

The girls faced Shadyside Academy February 23 at Hampton. Check the next issue of the ECHO for more game coverage.