GMA falls to Bethlehem Catholic in PIAA 4A 2nd round
READING >> In the second round of the PIAA 4A girls basketball state tournament, the Gwynedd Mercy Academy Monarchs (16-10) gave everything they had against a tough Bethlehem Catholic squad.
However, the undefeated and defending state champion Hawks (29-0) spoiled the Monarchs upset bid in the fourth quarter walking away with a 70-49 victory at Reading High School on Wednesday night.
The Lady Monarchs had the momentum early when Kaylie Griffin started the night with a three-pointer.
GMA head coach Tom Lonergan was thrilled for Griffin’s performance, who finished the game with 26 points.
“Kaylie is a terrific point guard,” said Lonergan. “She’s a very aggressive player and she plays a lot bigger than her size.”
Bethlehem Catholic would, however, quickly bounce back in a big way taking a 24-10 lead after the first quarter.
Being down by 14 to start the second quarter, GMA took advantage of poor offense from the Hawks to cut the deficit to 34-25 at halftime.
The Monarchs kept closing in to eventually trail by only six points with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Unfortunately the Hawks never gave up the lead since early in the first quarter and finished the game with a 15-2 run to advance to the state quarterfinals on Saturday.
Lonergan was pleased with his team’s performance despite the outcome against the defending state champions.
“Bethlehem Catholic is a very good team when they were going inside and finishing,” said Lonergan. “I told the girls that they nothing to be ashamed of because we competed with them and we competed with their A-game.”
“We knew we weren’t going to beat them unless if they didn’t bring their A-game,” added Lonergan. “So we gave them credit, they have a lot of talent and experience on that team and it really shown tonight.”
With the loss, the Gwynedd Mercy Academy Lady Monarchs finish the season with a 16-10 record and a District 1 championship.
“We had a pretty tough schedule this year,” said Lonergan. “We put together the toughest schedule that we had for awhile which is the reason for our record and it got us ready for this tough competition in the state tournament.”
The loss also marks the end of the road for GMA’s three seniors Sarah White, Mollie Hanson, and Reganne Flannery.
“They have been a great group of seniors,” said Lonergan. “Their attitude, daily in practice, all three were our captains this year, and they really brought a lot of leadership, they’re great role models, and they gave it their all.”
The Bethlehem Catholic Hawks will continue their quest to back-to-back state championships on Saturday in the PIAA 4A State quarterfinals against undefeated Scranton Prep.
Bethlehem Catholic 70, GMA 49
GMA 10 15 10 14 -49
BECA 24 10 19 17 -70
POINTS:
GMA: Griffin 26; White 8; Flannery 6; Masterson 3; Mangan 2; Newell 2; Coleman 2.
Bethlehem Catholic: Medina 26; Wilson 13; Walters 10; Brown 8; Rosario 6; Scott 4; Lanier 3.
