Westtown girls basketball routs Penn Charter, repeats as PAISAA champion

PHILADELPHIA >> There were a lot of questions about Westtown’s hopes of returning to the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) championship this season.

Last year’s squad won the state title, but graduated much of the talent that drove the Moose there. Westtown had nothing but answers on Sunday, routing Penn Charter 74-54 at Saint Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena to repeat as the PAISAA champion.

“Not a lot of people can say they’ve done this throughout their high school career,” Moose senior Grace Sundback said.

Sundback had six points while Zahra King put up a game-high 20 points. Jordyn Palmer had 13 points and Jessie Moses added 10.
The game was a rematch of last year’s PAISAA final, a much tighter contest that ended 51-50 in favor of Westtown. On Sunday, the Moose flew out to a 21-4 through the first quarter, never looking back.

Penn Charter was led by Kaylinn Bethea’s 18 points and Ryan Carter’s 15-point outing.

“I’m just so proud of the kids, the community and the support that they have given to us throughout the year,” Westtown coach Fran Burbidge said. “I know there was a lot of pressure on them, not so much pressure but expectations, and that’s something we never talked about at all.

“And to see them address each hurdle that was placed in front of them not only as well as they did, but together the way they did it and held on, credit to Penn Charter, they’re really, really good, but these girls deserve it and they earned it.”