From the time Crestwood’s season came to an end last year in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals, the goal for this season was to be in the best possible situation to make another run back.
Depending how the bracket played out, at some point the Comets were going to have to cross paths with perennial state-power Archbishop Wood, the team that knocked the Comets out of the tournament last year.
Crestwood will have a shot at redemption when they take on the Vikings on Tuesday at Bethlehem Liberty High School at 7:30 p.m. with a spot in the state championship on the line.
“That is all they talked about since last year,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock Namey said. “It was their first time there. They learned what it takes to beat the teams you need to get to a state championship. Hopefully we can give them a better run this year.”
Although the Vikings beat Crestwood, 69-35, in last year’s semifinal, this year’s Crestwood team is a little different.
Point guard Keira Dougherty missed all of last season with an injury. This time around the Comets have another true guard, one of the most important spots on the floor this time of the year.
“Last year, we really didn’t have a true point guard,” Mushock Namey said. “Now, we have three guards who can handle the ball. It’s not just on offense. Defensively, they are tenacious and get after it. They are able to handle the ball and see the floor. They all play well together.”
The addition of Dougherty allowed the Comets to use Jackie Gallagher and Charlie Hiller in the post more this season. Though both can step outside and hit the mid-range and 3-point shot.
Girls Class 5A semifinal
Crestwood (26-3) vs. Archbishop Wood (15-12)
When: Tuesday, 7:30
Where: Liberty High School, Bethlehem
How they got here: Crestwood defeated Cocalico, 51-38; Marple Newtown, 60-41; Lampeter-Strasburg, 59-35; Archbishop Wood defeated Sun Valley, 42-35; North Pocono, 70-31; Bethlehem Catholic, 69-32.
Up next: Winner advances to Saturday’s PIAA championship game at the Giant Center in Hershey at 6 p.m. to face 7-4 Peters Township (18-11) or 7-1 South Fayette (28-1).
Players to watch: CRESTWOOD- Jackie Gallagher (17.2); Keira Dougherty (15.5); Charlie Hiller (10.2); Jordan Andrews (8.3); Cameron Vieney (5.7); Norah Sklarosky (1.3); Lia Lapsansky (1.9); Addison Korpuski (0.8); Archbishop Wood- Natalie Thompson, Casey Thompson, Makayla Finnegan, Emma Yogis, Zoey Whalen, Abbie Kelly, Colleen Besachio.
About Crestwood: The Comets are in the state tournament for the fourth time and in the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. This is the furthest the Comets have gone. Last year, the Comets were eliminated by Archbishop Wood in the semifinals. … Crestwood is averaging 62.1 points per game. The team shoots 63.1% from the foul line and has 142 3-pointers. … Gallagher leads the team from the foul line at 81.4%. Dougherty has a team-best 47 3-pointers. Gallagher has 37, Hiller 21, Vieney 19 and Andrews 10.
About Archbishop Wood: Don’t let the record fool you. The Vikings play a national schedule and came into the tournament as the No. 1 seed out of District 12. The teams share a common opponent in North Pocono. Crestwood defeated North Pocono, 57-32 in the District 2 championship game. Wood defeated North Pocono, 70-31, in the PIAA second round. … This is Archbishop Wood’s 17th appearance in the state tournament. Their overall record in the tournament is 67-7. The Vikings won nine state championships and lost to South Fayette in last year’s championship game. … Finnegan is the only returning starter from last year’s team. Besachio has committed to Rider University. Yogis has committed to Ursinus.