Seton-LaSalle Perfect in Winning Second Straight WPIAL Girls AA Crown

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 2, 2012 | 5:27 PM

Seton-LaSalle discovered that #13 is a lucky number. The Rebels outlasted section rival Bishop Canevin 73-60 Friday afternoon to capture their second consecutive WPIAL girls Class AA championship and become the 13th girl’s school to win a district title with a perfect record as Seton-LaSalle picked up their 25th win in 25 games.

In the third meeting between these Section 5 teams, Bishop Canevin actually jumped out to a 7-3 first quarter lead before Natalie Piaggesi hit three field goals in an 8-0 run for the Rebels that put Seton-LaSalle up 11-7. The Crusaders tied the game at 11-11 before the Rebels scored 10 of the final 13 points in the quarter and claimed a 21-14 lead after one.
The second quarter was back and forth as the lead for Seton-LaSalle was never more than eleven points, but was never fewer than seven points as the Rebels led the Crusaders at the break 38-27.

After the Crusaders Erin Waskowiak opened the second half scoring with a basket to make it 38-30, the Rebels went on another 8-0 run to build their lead to 16 points. After three quarters, it was 52-39 Seton-LaSalle leading Bishop Canevin.

Just when it looked like the Rebels would pull away to their typical runaway win, The Crusaders hung tough, hitting five three-point shots and twice pulling as close as seven points. But both times BC pulled to within 7, SL would answer with runs of four and five straight, the final one coming with just under 90 seconds left in the game.

“You gotta give it to Bishop Canevin, they fought hard and they are a very good team,” said winning coach Dennis Squeglia after the game. “But our kids really executed and deserve this title. Every one of them stepped up and earned this championship.”

Bishop Canevin falls to 21-5 with three of those losses to Seton-LaSalle. The Crusaders were led by Waskowiak’s 16 points, while Carly Forse added 15 points, Celina DiPietro 14 points and Johnie Olkosky 12, all of three-pointers. The Crusaders open up the PIAA state playoffs against the third-place team out of District 6.

25-0 Seton-LaSalle was led by Natalie Piaggesi’s game high 20 points, 10 each half. Naje Gibson added 17 points, Angela Heintz 16 points and Nicolette Newman off the bench chipped in with 11 points.  The Rebels open up the PIAA state basketball playoffs Saturday against the third place team out of District 10.

Score by Quarters:
Bishop Canevin : 14 – 13 – 11 – 21 = 60
Seton-LaSalle : 21 – 17 – 14 – 21 = 73

Tags: Bishop Canevin