Crestwood’s Jackie Gallagher (13) shoots a layup during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jackie Gallagher (13) drives through the defense during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jordan Andrews (14) drives past a defender during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jackie Gallagher (13) takes the ball down the court during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Kiera Dougherty (33) takes a three-point shot during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Kiera Dougherty (33) drives toward the basket during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jordan Andrews (14) pivots with the ball during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jordan Andrews (14) takes a shot during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Kiera Dougherty (33) attempts to take a shot during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crestwood’s Jordan Andrews (14) celebrates after a win to advance to the second round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Crestwood’s Jackie Gallagher (13) shoots a layup during the first round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
WRIGHT TWP. — That beginning was what Crestwood wanted it to be. The ending was what the Comets hoped for. It was what occurred in between all of that is what has Mary Mushock Namey the most concerned.
The Comets used their full court pressure to create turnovers and get out to a big lead. But at times the offense was playing too quickly for its own good. Fortunately for the Comets they were able to combine both in a 51-38 victory over Cocalico in the first round of the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball playoffs Saturday afternoon at Crestwood.
The wins sends the Comets (24-3) to Wednesday’s second round against either Freire Charter or Marple Newtown at a site and time to be announced. Cocalico, the No. 4 seed from District 3, ends its season 17-10.
Everything seemed to be going as planned for the Comets in the first quarter. They created five turnovers, held Cocalico to 1 of 12 shooting from the floor and led 16-4. Crestwood kept up the pressure in the second quarter and led by 12 points at the half.
However, Crestwood uncharacteristically turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, mainly because Mushock Namey felt that at times the offense was trying to play too fast.
“Not our best effort,” Mushock Namey said. “I don’t think we handled the pressure very well. We wanted to pressure them, but since we’re not very deep they get exhausted quickly. They did to us what we wanted to do to them.”
Jackie Gallagher led Crestwood with 20 points, 10 of them coming in the first quarter. Keira Dougherty added 19 for the Comets, eight coming in the second half.
Crestwood led by 13 going to the fourth quarter but that was when Cocalico’s Corinne Fair started to heat up from the outside. Cocalico opened the quarter on a 9-2 run and at one point got as close as seven points. But Crestwood closed the final 4:50 of the game by allowing only four points the rest of the way.
“You always expect every team to you play in the state tournament to come back,” Gallagher said. “We just had to keep our foot on the gas. We lost some momentum in the second quarter and picked it back up in the second half. Some of it was self inflicted. We were going too fast and weren’t taking our time on offense or taking care of the ball.”