Vincentian Academy Comes Back to Oust North Catholic As Class A Girls Champs

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, March 3, 2012 | 5:32 PM

The Vincentian Academy Royals saved their best for last, taking their first lead with 55 seconds remaining as the Royals take the rubber game of the series with the North Catholic Trojanettes by a 54-50 score in the Girls Class A championship game at the A.J. Palumbo Center. It’s the fourth title for the Royals, who also defeated North Catholic to win the 2010 title.

North Catholic led 44-34 early in the fourth quarter, but Laura Primyon took over the show, hitting a three from the right corner, followed by a three from the left corner and a right wing three with 3:04 remaining, cut the lead to five at 48-43.

Following a North Catholic timeout and bucket by Angela Nowacki, the Trojanettes led by seven, it would be the final bucket they had. After Ashlee Darby and Noreen Fischer went 1 of 2 from the line, Primyon hit her fourth three, this one from the left corner with 1:40 remaining to tie the score at 50.

The Trojanettes committed their second offensive foul, giving the ball back to the Royals. Abbey Bartoszewicz hit a free throw to give Vincentian their first lead of the game. Tina Ferrari drove into the lane, but was blocked by Brenna Wise. Ally Bartoszewicz hit a free throw to make it a two point lead. North Catholic called a timeout but Lynzi Mueller double-dribbled, Primyon hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds for four point lead, Lauren Wolosik missed two threes to end the game.

North Catholic had an early 8-2 lead, forcing head coach Ron Moncrief to take two early timeouts. North Catholic held a 14-9 lead after the first, the second quarter was full of runs, North Catholic used a 6-0 run to lead 18-9, Vincentian ran off 9 straight to tie the game at 18 midway thru the second, then did not score the remainder of the half.

The third quarter was back and forth, North Catholic maintained a lead, a steal and lay up by Mueller put North Catholic up 35-26 and forced Moncrief to burn another timeout as the Royals committed six of their 13 turnovers in the quarter. The Trojanettes led 38-32 after three, setting up the dramatics for the fourth.

Moncrief said the Royals took what was given then with the open looks for Primyon, Vincentian shot 9 of 28 from behind the arc, 15 of 49 overall. Leading scorer Brenna Wise was held to just 7 points, she came off the bench with an injured left ankle, she played at about 70 percent, according to Moncrief.

Primyon led the Royals with 15 points, Fischer added 10 points and 6 assists, Vincentian ended 14 of 20 from the free throw line. Vincentian is now 24-1, winners of 5 straight, the only loss coming at North Catholic on February 9th. The Royals will play the fourth place team from District 9 in the first round of the PIAA tournament next Saturday.

Lauren Wolosik led North Catholic with 20 points. Mueller had 10 points and led the Trojanettes with 9 rebounds. North Catholic was 17 of 51 from the floor, including 2 of 10 from behind the arc. The Trojanettes shot 14 of 22 from the line and committed 19 turnovers. North Catholic won the glass battle with 35 rebounds to Vincentian’s 22.

North Catholic falls to 20-6 overall, ending a three game playoff winning streak. The Trojanettes meet the District 10 runner up in Saturday’s PIAA first round, that game will be heard on MSA Sports.

Score by Quarters:
North Catholic Trojanettes  14 9 15 12  = 50
Vincentian Academy Royals 9 9 14 22  =  54

Tags: Vincentian Academy