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Bubbler girls come up a quarter short
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Article RatingROBESONIA — Boiling Springs and Muhlenberg were back-and-forth for three quarters Wednesday at Conrad Weiser High School. Bubblers guard Kati Aunkst countered hard-fought inside baskets by Muhls forward Amanda Mikatavage with a pair of 3-pointers, Boiling Springs’ Amanda Gelber led a Bubblers rebounding effort that matched Muhlenberg board-for-board.
But by then, the game had already been decided — swept away by the Muhls’ dominant first quarter.
Though Boiling Springs matched Muhlenberg point-for-point through the final three quarters, the Muhls earned their margin of victory in the first eight minutes, going up by nine in the first quarter en route to a 34-25 victory in the District 3 Class AAA first round.
“We got the lead, then took a mental break for a little bit,” Muhlenberg head coach Reggie Weiss said. “Then we got smarter again and controlled the game.”
Staying at least four points ahead through the last 24 minutes, the Muhls’ more aggressive interior defense forced the Bubblers to make outside shots which, for the most part, they did not. Boiling Springs finished 3-for-11 from 3-point range, Aunkst alone was 2-for-3 on the evening.
“(Katie) Early and Jenna (Davis) had two 3-pointers in and out of the basket,” Bubblers head coach Rick Falk said. “We couldn’t get those baskets.
“We played hard, I can’t fault them for that. We just didn’t shoot well.”
Even though the Bubblers (18-7, Mid-Penn Colonial) didn’t have a great shooting night, they still had ample opportunity to close the gap. Muhlenberg (21-2, Berks II) struggled from the field as well, hitting just 15 of 41 shots, and turned the ball over 11 times through the last three quarters.
But Boiling Springs couldn’t take advantage, failing to score in three one-on-one situations following mid-court steals and sinking just six of 12 free throws.
“To beat a team like that, you have to take advantage of your opportunities and we didn’t,” Falk said. “You have to make the makeable shots and we didn’t.
“We didn’t get after the ball ... when they do miss (a shot) we have to take advantage.”
A non-issue for most of the evening, save that first quarter, when the Bubblers were held without a rebound for seven consecutive minutes.
“If someone’s going to struggle from 3-point range, we better get (the rebound),” Weiss said.
Boiling Springs was out-rebounded 7-1 in the first quarter, when Mikatavage scored six of her game-high 12 points. It wasn’t long before Falk went to a man-to-man defense, sending Aunkst in for a guard-heavy court presence more capable of conducting his defense.
“With the man (defense) we had guards for the smaller lineup,” Falk said. “But (Mikatavage) negated our inside game.
“In the first quarter we didn’t play hard, we were timid and dug ourselves into a hole.”
The Bubblers certainly didn’t go down without a fight. Trailing 16-5 in the second quarter, Boiling Springs ran off seven straight points to close within four points. However, a 1-for-8 performance from 3-point range by the Bubblers’ starters on the evening prevented a complete rally.
“We got out and threw a hand on (their guards) all the time,” Weiss said. “I thought we guarded them well, for the most part I was happy with the way we guarded.
“If you give them room, you’re in trouble.”
NOTES: Muhlenberg wasn’t awarded a free throw all evening ... the Muhls out-rebounded the Bubblers 22-16 ... Muhlenberg was 4-for-14 from 3-point range.
Northeastern 68, West Perry 32
The Mustangs fell behind 43-17 by halftime of their District 3-AAA first-round loss at Central York High School. Northeastern’s Amber and Autumn Lau combined for 41 points and 17 field goals.
For West Perry, Morgan Sheaffer scored a team-high 10 points. Teammate Joelle Reisinger connected on two 3-point shots.
The Mustangs end their season 17-7.
Class A
Reading Central Catholic 51, Bible Baptist 24
A 20-6 second quarter helped Central Catholic handle the Bobcats at Cumberland Valley High School. Freshman Maria Wendt led the Cardinals with 15 points.
Jenny Schiappa paced the Bible Baptist offense with eight points while teammate Samantha Strawser earned seven.
The Bobcats finish the season 12-11.
Harrisburg Academy 61, Christian School of York 57
Despite two regular-season losses to the Crusaders, the Spartans earned their first district playoff victory in at least a decade at Central York High School. Harrisburg Academy trailed 34-20 at halftime before rallying to outscore the Christian School of York 23-7 in the third quarter.
Corey Lazarus led the Spartans in scoring with 18 points while teammate Emily Marcello earned 16 and Taylor Pettis added 13.
Harrisburg Academy (10-8) advances to face Camp Hill in the District 3-A quarterfinals at Dover High School on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.
Camp Hill 64, Conestoga Christina 27
The Lions buring the Cougars 33-6 by halftime of their District 3-A first-round win at Steel-High. Eleven different Camp Hill players found the scoring column in the winning effort.
Lions’ Jess Wilson scored a game-high 21 points on 10 field goals. Teammate Katherine Kroll added 13 points and her team’s lone 3-pointer.
Camp Hill (11-10) advances to face Harrisburg Academy in the District 3-A quarterfinals at Dover High School on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.
