What to expect from GCC-Serra girls’ third meeting

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, February 22, 2018 | 2:06 PM

Greensburg Central Catholic (12-10) and Serra Catholic (15-7) split their season series in Section 3-2A and the games had a little of everything: halfcourt give-and-go's, fast-break baskets and a mix of man and zone defenses.

So what should fans expect tonight when the girls section co-champions meet in their rubber match in the WPIAL quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. at Fox Chapel?

It could come down to who dictates the tempo.

Familiarity, the coaches think though, can only take them so far.

“It helps us and hurts us; we know they but they know us,” GCC coach Joe Eisaman said. “We work hard at being able to win different types of games; fast or slow-down games.

“You have to get good at both because someone is going to put you in (a game) you don't like sooner or later.”

No. 5 seed Serra missed the playoffs last year for the first time in coach Bill Cleary's 30-plus-year tenure so the Golden Eagles are anxious to make a run.

No. 4 GCC is seeking its third straight trip to the semifinals. The Centurions lost to Vincentian in the final four last year at Fox Chapel.

“The most recent time we played them they blew us out by 22,” Cleary said on Wednesday's Trib Live High SchoolSports Network's WPIAL Roundball Report. “They beat us in every facet of the game that day. And that comes back to get you (in seeding). There are no secrets in this game.

“You try to tweak a few things and hope they work. You can't change a lot.”

Cleary has over 600 wins.

GCC had a first-round bye but Serra played a first-round game against No. 12 Riverview — and nearly was upset.

Serra came back from 11-down early in the fourth quarter to clip Riverview at the buzzer in a first-round thriller.

Junior guard Gigi Mele-Madigan made a running, one-handed heave from near halfcourt to give the Eagles a 53-52 win.

“I'm sure Serra will adjust to our second meeting,” Eisaman said. “And so will we.”

The loser tonight must hope the winner goes on to reach the WPIAL final because that will pull both teams into the PIAA tournament, as per the WPIAL's follow-the-winner format.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.