Abington falls to experienced Central Dauphin in PIAA-6A second round

CUMRU TWP.  >> Towering in some spots, with seniors popping up everywhere, Central Dauphin jumped out early and held off Abington late, pulling away to a 65-50 victory over the Ghosts in the second round of the PIAA-6A Tournament Friday night.

The win advanced the District Three Champs to Tuesday’s quarterfinals, against Spring-Ford. A young Abington squad finished a fine season at 23-7.

“For a team that starts two freshmen and three juniors, and without, in my opinion, an all-state point guard in Khalis (Whiting, who tore her ACL in the fall), I’m proud of the kids for having a good season without their leader,” said Ghosts coach Dan Marsh.

Central Dauphin, with four seniors in its starting lineup, was led by Megan Cavoli’s 21 points. In addition, 6-foot-3 Caroline Shiery scored 18 and Amelia Green added 16. Defending taller teams wasn’t anything new for the Ghosts.

“We played Plymouth-Whitemarsh three times, we played Haverford, so I thought we did an okay job with their size,” Marsh said. “(Shiery) does a phenomenal job of pinning down low and you can’t really get behind her.”

Central Dauphin jumped out to an 8-0 lead early.

The Rams powered the ball inside, with 5-11 Alexis Ferguson and Shiery scoring in the opening moments.

Cavoli made a steal and took it all the way in for the Rams. Green had six points in a balanced first quarter for Central Dauphin.

The Ghosts scored their first points three minutes into the first quarter, and then outscored the Rams 11-9 for the remainder of the period.

Abington’s quickness on defense provided a boost, with steals leading to baskets in transition that got the Ghosts marching back into the contest.

“I felt like we were doing what we wanted to do. They got tired in that second quarter,” Marsh said. “But they came out with a strong third quarter and we weren’t able to get over that hump.”

Trailing 17-11 after one, Abington played the Rams even in a back-and-forth second quarter.

Shiery put in a rebound in the closing seconds for Central Dauphin but then Maya Johnson scored on a runner off the glass just before the buzzer to bring Abington to within 29-24 at the break.

Shiery got going in the third, back-to-back baskets by the Rams’ inside force helping to widen the gap to 49-34.

A three by Cavoli fell through clean and pushed the margin to 18 early in the fourth, but Abington had another run left.

“We realized they were face-guarding Cire (Worely) and we had to play more as a team,” said Abington’s Jaida Helm, who led the Ghosts with 16 points, including a pair of threes. “When we did that, we got back into the game.”

Helm had seven points in the fourth, and when Dani Brusha hit a pair of free throws with about four minutes left, the Ghosts were within 56-46. But Central Dauphin would close things out.

Abington will return every starter next season.

“This is our first time in the state playoffs and making a real run in the district playoffs,” said Helm. “I think the experience of being in games late, and trying to make better decisions, I think we’re gonna do a lot better next year.”

Said Marsh: “We’re lucky that we get everybody back and we got this state experience, and hopefully we can learn that when times get tough, we have to come together and not fall apart.”

Even though her season was lost to injury, Whiting – who heads to Stonybrook – was still a strong presence for the Ghosts.

“Even though she wasn’t on the floor, she was a big factor in practice and on the bench, encouraging us and making sure we weren’t down on ourselves,” Helm said.

PIAA-6A Second Round

Central Dauphin 65, Abington 50

Abington 11 13 10 16 – 50

Central Dauphin 17 12 20 16 – 65

Abington: Cire Worely 3 4-4 11, Abril Bowser 3 2-2 11, Jaida Helm 6 2-2 16, Maya Johnson 1 0-0 2, Dani Brusha 2 4-6 10. Totals 15 12-14 50.

Central Dauphin: Marlie Dickerson 1 4-7 6, Megan Cavoli 9 0-0 21, Caroline Shiery 7 4-4 18, Alexis Ferguson 1 0-0 2, Amelia Green 8 0-0 16, Alexis Buie 0 0-4 0, Kenedy Cooper 1 0-0 2. Totals 27 8-15 65.

3-pointers: A-Worely, Bowser 3, Helm 2, Brusha 2; CD-Cavoli 3.