Tough PIAA matchups for York-area girls' hoops
For the first time since 2005, no YAIAA girls' basketball team won a District 3 title. So how will York-Adams teams rebound in the PIAA tournament? It could be interesting to see if a York-Adams team can make some noise in the state tournament.
York/Adams teams to qualify: Christian School of York (A), York Catholic (AA), Delone Catholic (AA), York Suburban (AAA), Red Lion (AAAA)
Player to watch: York Catholic's Kate Bauhof
When it comes to pinpointing a big-time player, Bauhof is an obvious choice. The sophomore has two 40-plus point performances this season, one of which came during the postseason. She leads YAIAA girls with a 21.1 points-per game average.
The sophomore can hit the long ball, sinking 48 shots from beyond the arc — which is second in the YAIAA. During the district tournament Bauhof averaged 27 points per game, which included a 26-point performance in the final. She also had a 41-point night against Wyomissing.
The Fighting Irish will need her hot shooting to continue.
Toughest road: (tie) Red Lion, York Suburban, Delone Catholic
There are a few teams that have a tough road ahead of them in the state tournament this year. YAIAA champion Red Lion (25-4) is a seventh seed in the Class AAAA bracket, and it will have to go through District 1 champion Perkiomen Valley (25-2). The Lions play the Vikings at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wissahickon High School in Ambler.
The Vikings are coming off their first district title and they have taken major steps in the first two years under retired teacher John Strawoet, who had been a ninth-grade coach for numerous years before taking over the varsity team.
If the Lions are able to get by KT Armstrong, who had 24 points for Perkiomen Valley in the District 1 championship game, and the rest of the Vikings then they would still have to face another District 1 team, North Penn (24-3), or District 12's Central (12-6).
York Suburban also finds themselves in a similar spot as the sixth-seed in the Class AAA bracket. The Trojans (19-11) will face District 11 champion Southern Lehigh (26-1) at 4:30 p.m. at Freedom High School in Bethlehem. Southern Lehigh was the No. 1 seed in the district tournament and knocked off Bethlehem Catholic. Southern Lehigh is also riding a school-record 26-game winning streak. The Trojans will need seniors Molly Day and Olivia Gettle to provide their usual spark if they want to advance.
If Suburban did make it to Wednesday's second round they would face the winner of the Berks Catholic (21-6) and Mifflinburg (18-7) first-round matchup.
Delone Catholic, the third-place team in District 3, draws District 12 champion Neumann-Goretti (24-1) at 6 p.m. Friday at Arch Bishop Ryan High in Philadelphia. Goretti is ranked No. 9 in the USA Today Super 25 national poll.
Should Delone win, the Squirettes (20-6) will draw the District 11 champion (Minersville) or District 4 runner-up (Wellsboro) Tuesday.
Cinderella story
The Lady Crusaders from the Christian School of York might have been overlooked during the season, but when it comes to potential Cinderella stories they could be it. The Lady Crusaders play District 4 champion North Penn-Mansfield (24-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Wellsboro High School. Christian School of York has the talent to give any first-round opponent a run for their money, and if it makes it out of the first round it could be a scrappy squad that makes some noise.
The Crusaders draw the winner in the matchup between District 11 champion Mahoney Area (21-5) and District 1 runner-up Delco Christian (19-6) Wednesday.
Which team will go furthest?
York Catholic was denied their 11th consecutive District 3 title, but they have won 11 of their last 14. The Fighting Irish have the chance to make a run in the state tournament.
The Irish play District 12 third-place finisher Bodine (16-6) at 7:30 p.m. at Dallastown Friday. Should the Irish win, they advance to play the winner of the first-round matchup between District 2 champion Holy Redeemer (22-3) and Southern Columbia (20-6) Tuesday.
Bauhof is surrounded by a solid group. Forward Jania Wright averaged 8.7 points per game during the district tournament. Forward Emily Laslo has also been a key player for the Irish.
Guard Gina Citrone and forward Katy Rader help make the Irish a tough team to beat.