Apollo-Ridge girls hold off Avonworth to clinch WPIAL playoff berth

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 29, 2018 | 11:58 PM

Apollo-Ridge is not only winning girls basketball games, but the Vikings are beating high-profile programs.

After sweeping the season series with a win against Seton LaSalle last Thursday, the Vikings secured a WPIAL Class 3A playoff berth Monday night with a 40-35 victory over Avonworth.

Megan Ost, the only senior on the team, scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Apollo-Ridge.

“We're just playing our game,” Ost said. “Any win is a win, but we're hungry for the next one. We're going to celebrate tonight, but we're going to get right back into the gym and work even harder.”

It will be the 27th playoff appearance for the Vikings girls, now in second place in Section 3 at 6-4, 10-7 overall.

The Antelopes, meanwhile, are chasing the program's 27th consecutive playoff berth and are a half-game behind Apollo-Ridge at 5-4, 12-7 overall.

The Vikings took 11-point leads twice in the fourth quarter, and a late Avonworth rally fell short.

“It was two hard-working teams.Both teams came to compete tonight,” Antelopes coach Mark D'Alessandris said. “This was a good environment for our girls. I just think they made a couple of more plays than we did.”

Avonworth was 15 of 28 from the free-throw line, missing six in a row at one point in the second quarter.

Before the season, Apollo-Ridge had plenty of question marks going into the campaign.

“I'm speechless right now,” Vikings coach Jim Callipare said. “It's one thing to win games in this ultra-competitive section, but to be in second place by ourselves this late in the season makes me just speechless.”

Apollo-Ridge took the lead for good at 9-8, on a 3-pointer by junior Maddie Moore.

The Vikings built their lead to 20-10 on a 3-pointer by freshman Morgan Gamble with 3 minutes, 34 seconds left in the half.

Both teams had four-minute scoring droughts to keep the game up for grabs.

“We've come so far from last year to this point. I couldn't be prouder of the kids,” Callipare said. “This is right up there with one of the best moments of my 20-some coaching years.”

Added Callipare with a laugh: “It would be nice if we could make some foul shots. We're not perfect by any means, but we're striving for perfection.”

The Vikings were 6 of 14 from the free-throw line.

Ost made three key baskets in the fourth quarter, and sophomore Rylee Eaton made two crucial foul shots down the stretch.

“Megan and Maddie Moore, they've just been two staples of this program for a while,” Callipare said. “They're consistent night-in and night-out.”

Avonworth looks toward Thursday's game against Carlynton. The Antelopes have made the playoffs 42 of the previous 45 seasons.

“This is only my second year as head coach,” D'Alessandris said. “We try to preach to the girls about the tradition and how important this program is.

“Every game in this section is a grind.”

Lily Tedesco led Avonworth with 11 points. Hayden Robinson collected 11 rebounds, and her sister, Harris, grabbed 10.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Avonworth