Photos for the mirror by Melana Iyer of Chuck Myers Altoona fight to own the ball with Kendall Berger of Norwin on Friday.
Two weeks ago, after winning the program’s three consecutive District 6 Class 6A women’s basketball championships, the Altoona Lady Lions faced a 14-day layoff from the actual game competition.
The negative effects of that long rest appeared in the first round playoff game with WPIAL runner-up Norwin at the Altoona Area High School fieldhouse on Friday night.
The Lady Lions were ice-cold on floor shots in the first half, converting only seven of the 25, delaying on a 20-16 break.
However, Altoona was restructured in the second half, but took a lead in the third quarter and surged 13 points in the fourth quarter, featuring four three-pointers. The Lady Lions won a 49-38 victory and won the PIAA second round game against Runner-Garnet Valley on Tuesday.
Garnet Valley advanced in the PIAA first round game on Friday night with a 53-23 Mechanicsburg defeat.
Despite the slow start of Friday night, Altoona coach Chris Friegle said he never doubted his team. More importantly, the players never doubted themselves.
“I think our district’s playoffs close two weeks ago put us at a disadvantage tonight,” said Fleegle, who improved to 24-2 with the Lady Lions’ 21 straight wins. “We were trying to get closer to the first half until we got the bearings and the shot started falling.
“I believe in our kids. These kids have been working throughout the season, but sooner or later tonight, they knew that the shots would fall for us. And the players are confident in themselves. When our players saw one or two shots in the basket, they rode the waves for us (the basket came).”
That’s exactly what happened in the fourth quarter. Altoona built a 44-28 lead in minutes for six of the first nine shots, including four three pointers, padlocking the game very close.
“It was tough not playing for a long time, but I wanted to stop consecutively in defense in the second half, so I wanted to do a layup and get some hot shoots.” “It’s hard to stop us when we knock down a shot from the outside.”
After pulling Norwin within three points, 31-28 early in the fourth quarter in a jump shot by senior forward Kendall Berger, Altoona bets his victory claim by scoring the next 13 points.
Hudson’s field goal ignited the rally, and junior Zaelin Ngüen Moore gave a 35-28 lead with a pair of free throws.
The Altoona continued with three consecutive 3 pointers. The two are a left corner and a senior security guard Melana Ayer on the right, pinned from the right corner around Hudson’s tray.
“By taking the lead in the third quarter, we’re a team that knows how to take care of our business in the fourth quarter,” said Eyer, who tipped 10 points with Altoona.
After the 15-9 season, Norwin took a 12-5 lead after a quarter, leading 18-11 in the second quarter.
Hudson’s three-pointer from the left side raised Altoona 25-23, then Hudson was free inside, earning another bucket, fouled on play, converting free throws to complete the three-point sequence, raising the game of 28-23 advantage and game in the game.
“She’s very physical and plays the game the right way,” Friegle said of Hudson. “She has an attitude she never does, but the stage isn’t too big for her. She’s blessed with playing with players who not only make her better, but she makes everything better.”
Norwin scored 14 points from senior guard Bella Fano and 12 points from senior forward Kendall Berger.
“I thought both teams empty the tanks tonight, as they often do in state playoff games,” Norwin manager Brian Brozski said. “Altoona did an amazing job of getting a second chance in the second half, which allowed them to kick the ball outside for a shot that could be knocked down.
“They also did an amazing job of getting the ball to work around tonight.”
Currently, Altoona faces a Garnet Valley team in the Philadelphia area, with two Division I-bound players on their roster.
“They’re very good,” Friegle said. “They have two Division I kids and have only lost two games this year.
“This is the nature of the basketball game at the 6A level. But we’ll stand up to the challenge.”
Game Notes: Altoona holds an overall edge of 33-27 on rebounds, earning 17 of 48 total floor shots in the game, including 43.4%, including 10 of 23 at 43.4% with 35.4% clips.
Norwin (38): Burger 4 3-4 12, Brozski 2 0-0 5, Faño 5 2-2 14, Christopher 3 0-0 6, Heller 0 0-0 0, Yarosik 0 1-2 1, Rod key 0 0-00. Total – 14 6-8 38.
Altoona (49): Wilt 2 2-4 7, M. Eyer4 0-0 10, Nguyen-Moore 2 3-4 7, Hudson 8 3-3 22, Harpster 0 0-0 0h R. Eyer 1 0-0 3, Cogan 0 0-00. Totals-17 8-11 49.
Quarterly score
Norwin 12 8 6 12–38
Altoona 5 11 12 21–49
3-point target: Norwin 2 (Berger, Broseski); Altoona 7 (Hudson 3, M. Eyer2, Wilt, R. Eyer).
Record: Norwin (15-9); Altoona (24-2).
Officials: Vicki Markiewicz, Denny Detwiler, Ethan Vipond.
