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Bauhof pours in 41, leads Irish to title game


NEFFSVILLE — While the York Catholic players may be different, the postseason results look eerily familiar.

Despite having only one returning starter, Fighting Irish coach Kevin Bankos said the expectations don’t change from year-to-year, even after winning the last 10 District 3 Class AA girls basketball championships.

Of course, when that one returning starter is sophomore Kate Bauhof, it’s understandable why York Catholic will play for its 11th straight district title on Thursday.

Monday night at Manheim Township, Bauhof scored 41 points and the Irish dominated from the onset, dispatching second-seeded Wyomissing, 80-51.

An unusual third seed, York Catholic improved to 20-5 this season and will square off against No. 1 Camp Hill at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday in Hershey.

“We didn’t want to talk about 11," Bankos said about district titles. "We talked about working on the process of getting to that game."

“We wanted to get back there because of the history,” Bauhof said of her team’s quest to return to the Giant Center. “Everyone is so excited. Coach had us prepared.”

Prepared may be an understatement. With Bauhof leading the way, the Irish scored on nine of their first 11 possessions and jumped to a 17-5 lead.

It wouldn’t get any better for the Spartans, who fell to 21-4 and will face Delone Catholic in a PIAA play-in game on Thursday.

Bauhof finished the first quarter with 11 points, a sign of things to come. In the second quarter, she capped a 15-3 Irish run by driving to the bucket for a layup and free throw that put York Catholic up 36-14.

She finished with 13 points in the fourth quarter, after going a perfect 9-for-9 from the line.

“Kate plays hard and takes advantage of what she is given,” Bankos said.

“Coach tells us to take what they give us. Those early jumpers came off great screens,” Bauhof added.

Bankos admitted he was wary of the Spartans’ size, especially with sophomores Leah McAvoy (6-foot-1) and Myrarose Owens (5-11). While Owens had a team-high 16 points, McAvoy was kept off the scoresheet.

Led by 12 boards from Jania Wright, the Irish also out-rebounded Wyomissing 31-18 for the game.

“The score doesn’t indicate it, but that’s a good basketball team. They had my attention,” said Bankos. “Their size concerned me, but I was really worried about their guard play.

York Catholic also forced 16 turnovers, 15 through the first three quarters, another thing which pleased Bankos.

“Our pressure and defense was relentless,” he said. “We call our defense chaos for a reason.”

York Catholic 80, Wyomissing 51

York Catholic (80)

Dessyn 0 2-2 2, Kate Bauhof 13 13-18 41, Duchek 0 0-0 0, Kepner 1 0-0 2, Reed 0 0-0 0, Brier 1 1-2 3, Jania Wright 5 0-0 10, Sterner 2 1-2 7, Laslo 1 4-4 6, Strayer 0 1-3 1, Rader 3 0-0 6, Citrone 1 0-0 2, Lake 0 0-0 0, Maloney 0 0-0 0. Totals — 27 22-31 79.

Wyomissing (51)

Bell 0 0-1 0, Elke Cacchione 4 1-4 10, Jamie DiCarlo 5 3-4 14, Mitchell 0 0-0 0, Brower 2 0-0 5, Endy 0 1-2 1, Brunner 1 0-0 2, Barrrer 0 2-6 2, Ziolkowski 0 0-0 0, McAvoy 0 0-0 0, Myrarose Owens 4 8-11 16, Herb 0 0-0 0, Faust 0 0-0 0, Eaton 0 1-2 1, Masano 0 0-0 0. Totals — 16 16-30 51.

York Catholic _ 21 _ 17 _ 20 _ 22 _ — _ 80

Wyomissing _ 9 _ 13 _ 13 _ 16 _ — _ 51

3-point goals — York Catholic 4 (Bauhof 2, Sterner 2); Wyomissing 3 (Cacchione, DiCarlo, Brower).