High school roundup for March 13, 2024: Emma Paul, Armstrong march into PIAA quarterfinals
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Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 11:39 PM
Armstrong’s Emma Paul scores past Hollidaysburg defenders during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul celebrates with teammates after defeating Hollidaysburg in their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul scores past Hollidaysburg defenders during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul is introduced before the River Hawks’ PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game against Hollidaysburg on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul scores against Hollidaysburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul shoots a 3-pointer against Hollidaysburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Kyla Fitzgerald works against Hollidaysburg’s Clare Padamonsky during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul scores between Hollidaysburg defenders during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Sarai Weaver scores against Hollidaysburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul celebrates with Isabella Yancy as time winds down against Hollidaysburg in their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Isabella Yancy drives past Hollidaysburg’s Jillian Sidney during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Emma Paul celebrates with Sophia DiGregorio after scoring during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game against Hollidaysburg on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong’s Kyla Fitzgerald is fouled by Hollidaysburg’s Clare Padamonsky during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
Armstrong head coach Jim Callipare calls a play from the side line against Hollidaysburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2024, at Pitt Johnstown.
While this is Armstrong’s first appearance in the state girls basketball playoffs, it’s hardly Emma Paul’s first time on the PIAA stage.
As a slugging shortstop on the River Hawks softball team, Paul has been to the state finals twice and the state semifinals last year.
On Wednesday, she hit another one out of the park.
Paul scored a game-high 30 points to lead Armstrong to a 54-39 victory over District 6 champion Hollidaysburg in the Class 5A second round.
“She’s a once-in-a-generation type of player,” Armstrong coach Jim Callipare said. “She does so many things and she does them well. If you want to take away this from her game, she’s going to beat you with that. It’s hard to defend her.”
Kyla Fitzgerald added 13 for Armstrong, which jumped out to a 19-4 lead on Hollidaysburg (23-5) after one quarter and never looked back.
“We feel like we’re playing with house money now and we just want to keep it going as best we can,” Callipare said. “But we came out on a mission tonight. We shut them down, so our defense was excellent.”
The River Hawks will face McKeesport in the state quarterfinals Saturday.
“The kids are like, ‘Do we have to practice tomorrow?’” Callipare said. “Yes, we have to practice tomorrow. We have to get ready. We’re in the elite eight of the state. That’s pretty awesome.”
Blackhawk 63, St. Mary’s 33 – Alena Fusetti had 17 points for WPIAL runner-up Blackhawk (24-4) in a convincing Class 4A second-round win over St. Mary’s (22-6). Aubree Huff added 15 points while Ava Pagani and Andrea Kinger scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Cougars, who will meet District 10 champion Fairview in the quarterfinals Saturday. Jayssa Snelick led St. Mary’s with 17 points.
Fairview 45, Laurel Highlands 36 – Breanna Heidt scored 18 points and Paige Garrity added 12 for Fairview (22-5) in a Class 4A second-round win. Miya Harris led Laurel Highlands (21-5) with 18 points and four 3-pointers. The Mustangs led 26-25 after three quarters.
McKeesport 48, Indiana 27 – Madison Miller had a game-high 13 points as McKeesport (23-4) rallied froma five-point halftime deficit to defeat Indiana (20-8) in the Class 5A second round. Rachael Manfredo added 12 points for McKeesport, which will meet Armstrong in the quarterfinals Saturday. Bella Antonacci led Indiana with 10 points.
North Catholic 59, Warren 32 – Alayna Rocco had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead WPIAL champion North Catholic (19-7) to a Class 4A second-round win. Lauren Mihm scored 16 points and Lauren Reitz added 12 for the Trojans, who will meet District 3 champion Wyomissing in the quarterfinals Saturday. Alana Stuart scored 14 points and Sammie Ruhlman added 10 for Warren.
Union 52, Northern Bedford 42 – Kelly Cleaver had a team-high 17 points for WPIAL champion Union (21-5) in a Class A second-round victory. Kylie Fruehstorfer added 16 points for the Scotties, who will face District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle in the quarterfinals Saturday. Mariah Hall of Northern Bedford led all scorers with 21 points.
Boys basketball
Aliquippa 79, Eisenhower 47 – Joshua Pratt had a game-high 23 points as WPIAL champion Aliquippa (23-5) bested Eisenhower (21-6) in Class 2A second-round playoff action. Qa’lil Goode scored 16 points and DeMarkus Walker had 10 points for the Quips, who will take on District 9 champion Redbank Valley in the quarterfinals Saturday. Eisenhower was led in scoring by Kyler Black with 15 points and Austin Hanson with 10.
Fort Cherry 88, Serra Catholic 71 – Blake Sweder led four players in double figures with 21 points as Fort Cherry (22-6) defeated Serra Catholic (18-9) in a Class 2A second-round slugfest. Derek Errett finished with 20 points, Shane Cornali added 19, and Matt Sieg had 10 for the Rangers, who will take on Jeannette in the quarterfinals Saturday. Pete Burke was the leading scorer for Serra Catholic with 26 points. Isaiah Petty had 23 and Owen Dumbroski added 19 for the Eagles.
Mohawk 55, Ellwood City 50 – Bobby Fadden had a team-high 28 points as Mohawk (19-8) defeated Lawrence County rival Ellwood City (18-9) in a Class 3A second-round contest. Jay Wrona added nine points for the Warriors, who will take on District 10 champ Girard in the quarterfinals Saturday. Joe Roth of Ellwood City led all scorers with 29 points, and Colton Crizer scored 10 points. Roth finished his career with 2,109 points.
More High School Basketball
• Westmoreland high school notebook: Puck drops for area’s PIHL teams• Penn Hills notebook: Basketball grad to play professionally in Ireland
• New coach Gabby Baldasare excited to fill big shoes with North Allegheny girls basketball
• Dana Petruska comes out of retirement to take over as girls basketball coach at Deer Lakes
• Imani Christian basketball player among 3 transfers ruled ineligible by WPIAL
