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PIAA GIRLS BASKETBALL: ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC STYMIES ATHENS IN 41-15 WIN IN CLASS AAAA OPENER (24 PHOTOS) (2020-03-07)

Valley Sports Report
TOWANDA "” Allentown Central Catholic shut down any chances of an Athens comeback, holding the Lady Wildcats to just three points after the intermission in a 41-15 win here Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAAA girls basketball playoffs.

"They were the best defensive team we played all year long," said Athens coach Brian Miller. "They were athletic, they were quick, they were long, and they were well-coached.

"I don't think we scored a basket in the paint, and that's a tribute to them," said Miller. "Every time we tried to drive, they closed off passing lanes, and we couldn't get the ball inside for easy baskets.

"Unfortunately for us, they would run their (offensive) set over and over and over again," he noted. "They almost lulled us to sleep, and executed their offensive to get shots from closer range than we were getting.

"Their defense was just a little bit better than ours, and they got a lot of shots from closer range than we did, and they made them," added Miller.

Emily Vaughn knocked down a 3-pointer early in the first quarter, and added a conventional three-point play later in the stanza to help the Lady Vikings to a 13-5 lead.

Junior Kayleigh Miller canned a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter for the Lady Wildcats, but Vaughn drained her second of the game and scored five points, and Julia Roth added four points as Allentown Central Catholic extended their lead to 24-12 at the half with an 11-7 spurt in the stanza.

Miller said he still felt good about the Lady Wildcats' chances at the half.

"We were within striking distance," he said. "We were trying to keep the game close, get to the fourth quarter get a couple stops, hit a couple big shots, and get out of there with a W.

"Unfortunately, they're a very good defensive team in the half-court, and we struggled with that," noted Miller. "We had some open shots in the second half - shots we normally make, we just didn't make them.

"I told the girls afterward, it was almost like our big sister out there. They were a little bit bigger and a little bit faster and a little bit stronger in the second half," added Miller. "And, they didn't make any mistakes."

Roth scored eight points in the third quarter to fuel a 10-2 run that put the Lady Vikings up 34-13 entering the final eight minutes. Senior Haley Barry scored Athens' only field goal of the second half.

Miller led Athens with nine points on a trio of 3-pointers, and three rebounds, while Barry added four points, sophomore Caydence Macik contributed three points, two assists, and one blocked shot, and junior Rachel Stephens grabbed four rebounds.

Roth led ACC with 12 points, and Vaughn added 11.

Athens wraps up the season with a 22-6 record.

"These girls should be really proud of themselves," said Miller. "They were 22-6, 14-2 in the league, won the NTL Showdown, won a silver medal in the District 4, Class 4A playoffs, and qualified for States for the first time in several years.

"They exceeded expectations in just about every conceivable way.

"It's sad that it's over, but every good thing comes to an end," noted Miller. "It was a great season. I'm very proud of them, and what they accomplished.

"I don't think anyone saw this coming," added Miller. "If you told me at the beginning of the year what we were going to accomplish, I would have said, "˜sign me up.'"

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Kayleigh Miller. ... ... PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID ALLIGER - TRAVELING PORTRAITS PHOTOGRAPHY.


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