By Matt Michelone
For the mirror
HOLLIDAYSBURG — It will be a clash of the big cats in Blair County for the 2022 Blair Regional YMCA Women’s Summer League High School Championship.
In a matchup between two future members of the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, Hollidaysburg signing McLanahan Corporation used a 20-6 halftime breakout to defeat Bellwood-Antis DelGrosso’s 47-38 in the semifinals.
“Bellwood showed a lot of energy in that game, they played really well,” said McLanahan coach Deanna Jubeck. “We just had to go out there in the second half and try to swing that energy meter.”
After a 20-19 lead at half-time, Ashden Stitt buried a three from the far corner that helped initiate a 20-6 run. Alison Hatajik later added a layup that increased the lead to 26-21.
Teammate Bella Vent – on the fastbreak – got a bucket and about 11 minutes from time, Hatajik prevailed with a putback for two of her 11 points.
Sydney Lear hit a total of 12 free throws on her way to a game high of 19 points.
Chelsea McCaulsky led DelGrossos by 12.
DelGrosso coach Kyley Longo felt her team could hold its own against future conference competition.
“We’re going to see these guys at Laurel Highlands for the next few years and that’s exactly the kind of competition we want to play.” She said. “Hats to (McClanahan’s), they deserved the win. Our kids have played hard, we will see them again one day.”
Earlier in the evening, the Altoona squad – Beard Legal Group – had to hold the line defensively before scoring a few runs of their own as they won the other semi-final game, 38-17, against Berlin Brothersvalley.
“We captured great basketball footage, that was just what we needed to get a little bit of confidence in our game.” Beard trainer Chris Fleegle said. “We had a lot of fun this summer. It’s a pleasure to see them play together and we look forward to being there on Thursday.”
Lanie Wilt and Jersey Hollobaugh led Beard by nine points each.
Wilt helped Beard make an early break thanks to a bucket 14 minutes into the half to spark an 8-2 run.
Wilt struck again in the second half as she took a feed and scored from the breakaway to build an 8-1 run.
Berlin Brothersvalley coach Rachel Prosser was impressed with Altoona’s play on the defensive side of the ball.
“They are really a strong side and their defense is very tough,” She said. “I’m proud of my team because they didn’t give up and played hard. We just couldn’t get the ball in.”
The Hollidaysburg and Altoona teams meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the championship back at the Blair Regional YMCA.
BARTRECHT GROUP 38, BERLINER BRÜDERSVALLE 17
BERLIN BROTHERSALLEY (17): Countryman 3 0 6, Grenke 0 0 0, Lauer 1 1 3, Brant 0 0 0, Kizer-Lischak 0 0 0, C Prosser 1 2 4, Barna 1 1 3, B Prosser 0 0 0, Visnisky 0 0 0. Totals: 6 4 17.
BEARD LEGAL GROUP (38): Lane 1-0-3, Herncane 2-0-4, Krull 3-1-8, Hollobaugh 4-0-9, Hershey 0-0-0, Wilt 4-1-9, Cogan 1-0-2, Nguyen-Moore 1-0-3. Totals : 16 2 38.
HALF DEDUCED
Berlin Brüdertal 8 9 – 17
Beard Legal Group 18 20 – 38
3-Point Field Goals: Altoona 4 (Lane, Krull, Hollobaugh, Nguyen-Moore)
McCLANAHAN CORPORATION 47, DELGROSSO’S 38
DELGROSSO’S (38): Clapper 4 3 11, Norton 0 2 2, Gerwert 0 0 0, Hammond 0 1 1, Quick 1 0 2, McCaulsky 4 3 12, Worthing 5 0 10. Total: 14 9 38.
McCLANAHAN COPRORATION (47): Steiner 0 0 0, Hatajik 4 3 11, Home 1 0 2, Stitt 3 1 8, Vent 1 0 2, DiPangrazio 1 0 2, Stevenson 1 0 2, S Lear 3 12 19. Overall: 14 16 47
RESULT AFTER QUARTERS
Del Grossos 19 19 – 38
McClanahan 20 27 – 47
3-Point Field Goals: DelGrossos 1 (McCaulsky), McClanahan 2 (S. Lear, Stitt)
Officials: Denny Detwiler, Keith Redfoot, Lynn Smith.
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