WILKES-BARRE TWP. — A change in defensive strategy played a big role in Abington Heights’ 41-24 win over Scranton Prep in the District 2 Class 3A girls basketball championship game.
Despite holding a 16-14 lead at the half, Lady Comets head coach Deanna Klingman decided to switch from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone due to the Classics ability to get the rim and convert at the foul line.
Abington Heights (21-5) limited Scranton Prep to 10 points in the second half, including one in the fourth quarter.
“They have very good speed and that’s one of the reasons we switched to the 2-3 zone in the second half,” Klingman said. “We had to stop their penetration and prevent them from getting to the line. I think we did a much better job keeping the ball in front of us by playing zone.”
Hannah Kowalski and Nicole Getz led the charge for the Comets in the first quarter, scoring four points each, and Abington Heights led 11-6.
Prep’s Jillian Paulus scored four of her team-high 12 points in the second quarter when the Classics outscored the Comets, 8-5.
Abington Heights used a 9-0 run midway through the third quarter to open up a 27-18 lead.
The Comets delivered the final blow in the fourth quarter when five players scored baskets as part of a 10-0 run to go ahead 41-23 with 2:34 left in the game.
Abington Heights held Scranton Prep (15-11) to 6 of 47 shooting and outrebounded the Classics, 41-23.
“I think everybody did their job really well,” Getz said. “The scoring was pretty even and people got great rebounds and steals. It was just a great team effort.”
Both teams advance to the PIAA Class 3A tournament.
Abington Heights will play Bethlehem Catholic at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Marywood University in the first round. Scranton Prep will play Greencastle-Antrim at 6:30 p.m. March 5 at Scranton High School.
Abington Heights 41, Scranton Prep 24
SCRANTON PREP (24) — Jillian Paulus 2 7-10 12, Julia Sirotnak 3 1-1 7, Calista Kline 0 1-3 1, Holly Daveski 1 2-2 4, Tiffany Powell 0 0-0 0, Kathleen Rose 0 0-0 0, Abigail Schroth 0 0-0 0, Alaina Weston 0 0-0 0, Maeve Ducas 0 0-0 0, Claire Szymanski 0 0-0 0, Mikhaela Kline 0 0-0 0, Emma Walsh 0 0-0 0, Caroline Babinski 0 0-0 0. Totals 6 11-16 24.
ABINGTON HEIGHTS (41) — Nicole Getz 5 2-3 13, Cassie Ksiazek 2 1-2 5, Hannah Kowalski 4 5-9 13, Mariah Tulaney 2 0-0 4, Alessia Brunori 2 2-2 6, Emma Henzes 0 0-0 0, Grace Evans 0 0-0 0, Grace Hambrose 0 0-0 0, Emma Baker 0 0-0 0, Sharon Houlihan 0 0-0 0, Tiana Yarns 0 0-0 0, Nicole Nealon 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 10-16 41.
Scranton Prep`6`8`9`1`—`24
Abington Heights`11`5`14`11`—`41
Three-point goals — SP 1 (Paulus); AH 1 (Getz).
