NA Prevails Over Manheim Twp in PIAA 1st Round, 57-33
Nearly a week after their thrilling overtime win in the WPIAL championship game, the North Allegheny Tigers opened the PIAA Class 6A playoffs with a 57-33 triumph over Manheim Township on Friday night at Sewickley Academy High School. Junior Lizzy Groetsch led the way with a game-high 24 points on her way to Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors.
Appearing in the state playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, the Tigers got off to a slow start offensively but rattled the Blue Streaks with their pressure defense. With Manheim Township held in check, Groetsch scored four points and sophomore Emma Fisher knocked down a 3-pointer to help NA take a 10-2 lead after one quarter.
In the second period, North Allegheny began to find its rhythm and opened up a 29-10 lead by halftime. Manheim Township inched back in the third quarter and trimmed the deficit to 13 points on the strength of swing player Katie Bushong. A Wilmington University commit in volleyball, Bushong scored nine points in the third quarter to trim the NA lead to 35-22. Bushong finished with a team-high 16 points.
Despite the Blue Streaks’ third-period surge, a Paige Morningstar 3-pointer to end the third and a Groetsch trey to begin the fourth gave NA decided momentum and a 41-22 lead. The Tigers rolled from that point on and finished the game strong en route to a 57-33 win.
Along with Groetsch, freshman Jasmine Timmerson reached double figures with 10 points. Morningstar added nine points and senior Kat Balouris chipped in with six.
With the win, North Allegheny improves to 23-3 overall. Manheim Township ends its season with a 19-9 record. The Tigers will take on State College, the runners-up from District 6, in the PIAA second round on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined. The game will be broadcast by the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Girls Basketball vs. Manheim Township, 3-6-20
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Manheim Township | 2 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 33 |
| North Allegheny | 10 | 19 | 9 | 19 | 57 |