York Catholic can't dig out of 2nd-quarter hole

HAMBURG – After giving up 23 second-quarter points to Holy Redeemer on Tuesday, the York Catholic girls knew they had to make some adjustments after halftime.

They did. The Fighting Irish limited their opponents to only four points in the third quarter.

The problem was they managed only six points themselves.

As a result, the Fighting Irish battled through a defensive struggle most of the second half and were saddled in foul trouble late as their season ended in a 52-43 loss in a PIAA Class AA tournament second-round game at Hamburg High School.

After coming out of the break trailing 35-27, the Fighting Irish (21-7) trailed throughout the second half. They closed to within two points twice early in the final quarter, but they couldn’t hit a timely shot when it was needed down the stretch. Playing catch-up to an aggressive Holy Redeemer squad, the Fighting Irish were in a one-and-one and eventually in the double bonus over the final three minutes, as Holy Redeemer scored seven of its final nine points from the foul line.

The Royals were paced by Kayla Hons (11 points) and Rebecca Pociak (10). But all seven of their players scored five or more points.

“We knew we had to shut them down after they had the big second quarter,” said York Catholic head coach Kevin Bankos. “I told the girls that the first three minutes of the second half would be a key for us.

“We did a nice job defensively, but we just couldn't get a shot to fall. We were rushing sometimes, but we still stayed in the game. We were aware of their balance offensively, and they hit some big 3s on us in the first half. They also played well defensively.”

The momentum swung toward Holy Redeemer midway through the second quarter when the Royals went on a 16-6 spurt, hitting seven of 11 shots and drilling three consecutive 3-pointers to build a 31-22 cushion late in the first half.

York Catholic closed to 45-43 when Jania Wright hit the front end of two foul shots with 2:20 left. But the Fighting Irish didn’t hit a shot on their next three possessions, and Holy Redeemer extended the lead to 49-43 when Talia Kosierowski sank her second foul shot with 48.8 seconds left.

York Catholic’s inbounds pass was intercepted, and Pociak’s layup sealed the victory.

Kate Bauhof, who entered the game averaging more than 21 points per contest, put up 13 of her team-high 19 points in the opening half. She was hounded and bumped all game as Holy Redeemer was the more physical team.

Wright added eight points along with a team-high 10 rebounds for the Irish.

Holy Redeemer (52)

Individual stats unavailable.

York Catholic (43)

Desseyn 0 1-2 1, Kate Bauhof 6 5-6 19, Wright 3 2-3 8 , Sterner 4 0-0 8, Laslo 1 0-0 3, Rader 2 0-1 4 ,Citrone 0 0-0 0. Totals — 16 9-15 43.

Holy Redeemer_12_23_4_13_—_52     

York Catholic_16_11_6_10_—_ 43

3-point goals— HR 6 (Hons 3, Flannelly 2, Lawson). YC 2 (Bauhof 2).