Girls 4A Quarter-Final Recap (Scranton Prep vs. Central Columbia)

Written by: Jon K on March 17, 2024

March 16, 2024

Classics’ Defense Keys Spot in Semi-Finals

Scranton Prep 46, Central Columbia 25

HAZLE TOWNSHIP – When their hot-shooting start cooled-off a bit in the second period, Scranton Prep continued to turn up their defensive pressure. The result was allowing a mere 8 first half points to Central Columbia as they held the Blue Jays 21 points below their per game season average as the Classics secured a 46-25 Girls 4A Quarter-Final victory. The victory propels Scranton Prep into a Semi-Final matchup against District 12 Champion Universal Audenried (25-5) on Tuesday at Bethlehem Liberty (6 pm). The Rockets, also noted for their defensive pressure, got 41points from 5-10 junior Shayla Smith as they pulled away from a 46-42 lead to begin the final period and notch an impressive 79-53 win over Delone Catholic on Saturday.

Scranton Prep sizzled the nets through the first 2:20 with three triples, one each from Maya Jenkins, Ashlyn Moore, and Bella Dennebaum. Caitlyn Weatherill countered the first trey to create the only tie of the game (3-3). Jenna Hillebrand then got back-to-back layups (the first one off 1 of 6 Blue Jay first period turnovers). Dennebaum completed the 10-0 run as the Classics had a 16-4 lead. Weatherill hit a free throw to cut it to 16-5 after the first eight minutes.

While the second stanza ground to an offensive crawl, the Classics still maintained a scoring edge. After Keirstyn Radzwich netted a triple to cut it to 16-8, the Blue Jays were held scoreless for remainder of the first half (5:43). Scranton Prep got a long triple from Jenkins and a baseline drive by Dennebaum to go into the break with a 21-8 lead.

Maddy Blake converted a 3-point play 1:20 into the second half (part of her 9-point stanza) to bring Central Columbia within 21-11, but that’s as close as they would get the rest of the afternoon. Hillebrand then went on a 12-0 tear over the next four minutes. The 5-9 junior started with a pair of free throws, added back-to-back triples, hit a baseline floater, and made a terrific drive to the basket. Mixed in that run, Blake continued to shine, but CC trailed 35-19 after a score by Jenkins. Weatherill got her team within 35-22, but Jenkins added a triple to make it 38-22 heading into the final frame.

Blake got the Blue Jays within 38-24, but Scranton Prep went on to outscore Central Columbia 8-1 the rest of the way to secure the 46-25 victory.

Scranton Prep was led by Jenna Hillebrand with 19 points and Maya Jenkins with 16 points. Belle Dennebaum, Ashlyn Moore, and Mira Sheehan combined to score 11 points. The Classics hit 8 triples and made 6 of their 8 free throws.

Central Columbia was paced by Maddy Blake with 12 points. Caitlyn Weatherill, Keirstyn Radzwich, Ava Klingerman, and Erin Prezioso combined to score 13 points. The Blue Jays connected on 2 triples and made 5 of their 11 free throw opportunities.

Congratulations to the Scranton Prep Classics on advancing to the Girls 4A Semi-final Round on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/imvPXsCA4A

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) March 16, 2024