NA Advances to WPIAL Championship With 43-30 Win Over Peters Township
The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team punched its ticket to the WPIAL Class 6A championship game for a second consecutive season, and eighth time in the last nine years, with a 43-30 triumph over the Peters Township Indians on Monday night at Mt. Lebanon High School.
The reigning WPIAL champions faced a Peters Township team that was appearing in the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 2019 and Tigers used their big game experience, as well as a stifling defense, to slow down the Indians. Peters Township mustered only 17 points in the first half and trailed by five at intermission.
Peters Township boasted a pair of 6-3 forwards, including D-I recruit Natalie Wetzel, but North Allegheny senior forward and Goldey-Beacom College commit, Lydia Betz, outplayed them both in a dazzling performance. Betz netted a game-high 21 points and penetrated through the Indians defense at will. Sophomore forward Cate Pingpank drew the start and logged important minutes as well, contributing six points.
In the early stages of the second half, Peters Township trimmed the NA lead to 22-19, but the Tigers answered with a 9-0 run that was keyed by Betz for a 31-19 advantage. From that point on, the Tigers controlled the game.
The Tigers celebrate following a 43-30 win over Peters Township.
Leading by seven points after three quarters, North Allegheny pulled away in the final stanza by outscoring Peters Township, 12-6, en route to a 43-30 win. The Tigers were able to possess the ball and play keep away from the Indians in the fourth quarter thanks in part to the slick guard play and ball handling of senior Kellie McConnell.
North Allegheny improves to 22-2 on the season with the victory, while Peters Township falls to 22-2. The Tigers advance to the WPIAL championship game on Friday at 7:00 pm at the Petersen Events Center to face a familiar foe, the Norwin Knights. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.
The Indians will host the third-place consolation game on Wednesday against Chartiers Valley.
Girls Basketball vs. Peters Township, 2-26-24
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| North Allegheny | 9 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 43 |
| Peters Township | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 30 |