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District 2 Girls 3A Second Round (Riverside vs. Palmerton)
 

District 2 Girls 3A Second Round (Riverside vs. Palmerton)

Written by: Jon K on March 12, 2022

 

 

March 11, 2022

 

Balanced Attack Propels Riverside

 

Riverside 64, Palmerton 28

 

HAZLETON – Riverside used a 21-2 run throughout much of the second period to surge to a commanding 39-14 lead.  The Lady Vikings momentum continued after intermission as they rolled to an impressive 64-28 Second Round win over District 11 Champion Palmerton in a matchup that ended a bit quicker than expected with the mercy rule in effect during the final stanza.  Riverside played well in almost every facet of the game (7 of 14 free throws being the only blemish) as they got balanced scoring and did a great job rebounding, especially on the offensive end.  The Blue Bombers, on the other hand, never looked comfortable on the floor and struggled to get into any rhythm after a floater by Raegan Nemeth brought them within 12-8. 
The standout players for each squad, Kylie Lavell for Riverside and Brianna Moore for Palmerton, got each team on the scoreboard to knot the game at two before Katie Slaboda would hit a triple and get a putback as part of a 7-0 run to take a 9-2 lead.  Palmerton got scores from Bethie Morgan and Nemeth to cut the deficit to four (12-8) before another lay-in by Slaboda and fast break score by Morgan Antoniacci put the Lady Vikes up 16-8.  Lavelle added her own defensive exclamation mark by blocking a layup in the closing moments of the first quarter.
After Moore canned a corner triple to make it 18-12, the Lady Vikes got back-to-back treys from Paige Olanovich and Slaboda for a 24-14 advantage.  Moore was running the Palmerton offense well, making crisp passes, but the Blue Bombers continued to come up short on the scoreboard.  And that’s when the Lady Vikes got tough on the offensive boards, getting a putback from Slaboda followed by Lavelle going to the charity stripe.  On the missed free throw, Lillie Pon hustled to grab the carom and got fouled on the ensuring shot.  Another pair of triples from Slaboda and Pon would give Riverside a 39-14 lead before Moore hit a triple as teams headed to the locker rooms.
Riverside started the second half with a 7-2 run highlighted by a Pon triple, a Lavelle drive around a defender for a layup, and basket by Olanovich on another fast break.  Slaboda would finish the period with another triple to extend their lead to 56-25. 
With the outcome long locked up, Riverside starters would exit the game at the 2:22 mark with a 64-26 lead.  Bethie Morgan closed out the scoring for Palmeton as the game ended 64-28.
Riverside placed four players in double figures paced by Katie Slaboda with 18 (including 4 triples).  Kylie Lavelle would add 17 points, Lillie Pon 15, and Paige Olanovich 10.  The Lady Vikings hit 7 of 14 free throws.
Palmerton was led by Bethie Morgan with 10 points while Brianna Moore added 8 points (well below her season average of 16 ppg).  
With the win, Riverside advances into PIAA Girls 3A Quarter-Finals to face District 12 Runner-up Imhotep Charter (15-9) next Tuesday.  ‘Tep was a 46-45 winner over Trinity Friday evening.  

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