Lady Highlanders' victory will receive a WPIAL DATE | News, sports, jobs

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Patton-Cambria Heights built a lead of 18 points in the third quarter and then overcame a four and a half quarter game to secure a 63:54 victory against Richland in the 6a high school in class 3a on Friday.

The Highlanders (19-7) have determined the seed No. 3 from the district and will travel to the WPial master Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, March 7th, in a game in the first round.

“It will certainly be a challenge. (Greensburg Catholic) is always in the mixture at the state level. You are a great program, ”said Eric Thomas, coach of Cambria Heights.

The Highlander coach was glad that his team was able to experience this victory for the program.

“I said this is isurgosel (on the cake). It is a really great thing for these girls because they have never reached this level. So I'm very excited for you. Many of them played for four years and received a lot of time, also as newcomers and in the second year. It is great for you to do this little playoff run. They are super excited and I love that we have this chance, ”said Thomas.

Cambria Heights Seniors Gracey Vinglish and Sienna Kirsch made up most Highlanders. Vinglish was good at 5 out of 12 3 points field attempts and led all the scorers with 23 points. Kirsch added 21 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

“We are able to do this. We have a few shooters who can really put on it. And I tell you all the time that we need it because this opens our insider playing game for Sienna. So it is a nice two-2 stroke if you can. She was really hot tonight; And we really needed that. “

Kirsch's 3-point game on the 4:50 brand Cambria Heights gave his biggest lead, 44-26. The RAMs countered with a 13: 2 run, which cut the difference to 46-39 at the end of three periods.

Richland rose on the front of the front square, and the Highlanders at times fought to drive the ball ahead on the square.

“I confirm this to the younger girl in the team,” said Richland coach Paul Johnson. “They decided that they would not lie around and take it. They wanted to do something about it and they became physical. So I liked it. “

“I thought a few of our girls were more shy than them. So we have to work on it, ”said Thomas.

The physical style of Richland differs from the teams of the Heritage conference that normally offer, said Thomas.

“(Richland is) probably the most physical team that we met. Below we had some hard matchups with them. I was a bit worried that I was a bit worried because I knew how physically they played underneath, ”he said.

“And we didn't see that much in the legacy. We were always as big as the other team. And I had the feeling that this team was a bit bigger and physical. So we were worried about it. But I didn't expect us to get as nervous as in the press. It only took a short time. Then I thought we handled it pretty well. “

Lanie Marshall's only 3 pointer of the night helped the Rams (11-13) 3:40 to six, 50-44. It was as close as they would come.

Sophomore Trinity Macey led the Rams with 16 points. Marshall, the only senior in the team, added 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. Kiya Wise, a newcomer, contributed 13 points.

The lack of banking depth by Cambria Heights was tested when Markie Bender exit a large part of the fourth period with four personal fouls. She finally smeared from the game with 1:28.

“We have to play clever out there. We can't get any bad difficulties, ”said Thomas.

Richland started the 9-5 season before it started a number of games in which six consecutive competitions against State Playoff competitor Bishop Carroll Catholic, Bishop McCort Catholic, Central Cambria, Clarfield, Forest Hills and River Valley had lost.

“(We learned) that there is no bad experience. The better the team you play, the better you get, ”said Johnson. “I felt that we were competitive in many of them and we had a good opportunity (to win).”

Thomas said the Highlanders would have to do their best if they opened their playoff campaign.

“Every time you reach the state level, it doesn't matter that every game team will bring it. So we have to play well. We know that we have to be in our game. We have to meet our outer shots and pick up our defense, ”he said.

Richland (54): Marshall 4 6-6 15, Wise 6 1-4 13, Fetchko 1 0-0 3, Macey 7 2-2 16, Roman 1 0-4 2, Jakubowski 0 0-0 0, Ledika 1 0-1 2, A. Menti 1 0-0 3. Total-22-17 54.

Cambria Heights (63): Kirsch 9 3-6 21, Dutko 1 0-0 3, Vinglish 8 2-2 ​​2, Rogal 4 0-0 8, Bender 2 1-3 5, L.Karlheim 1 1-2 3. Total number 25 7-13 63.

Points after quarters

Richland 9 13 17 – 54

Cambria Heights 17 10 17–63

3-point field destinations: Richland 3 (Marshall, Fetchko, A.Ameti), Cambria Heights 6 (Vinglish 5, Dutko).

Officials: Terri Pietak, John Page, Sean Clark.