The road to a Schuylkill League championship started Saturday afternoon at Martz Hall, “The Mecca”, as the North Schuylkill Lady Spartans used steady defense to defeat Marian Catholic, 49-31, in the league girls basketball quarterfinals.
The matchup marked the first meeting of the season between the two schools.
North Schuylkill entered the tournament at 15-7 overall after finishing second in Division 1, while Marian Catholic came in 12-9 overall and placed third in Division 2.
Early Battle
The contest opened tightly, with both teams feeling each other out offensively. Marian Catholic grabbed an early edge with four points midway through the first quarter before North Schuylkill responded with a 9-0 run to take control.
The Lady Spartans led 9-6 after the first quarter, then used a strong second quarter on both ends of the floor to create separation. A strong scoring effort and defensive stops fueled a 20-point frame, sending North Schuylkill into halftime with a 29-14 advantage.
Second-Half Control
Marian Catholic attempted to regroup coming out of the locker room, looking to chip away at the deficit with quicker possessions and inside looks. But North Schuylkill’s defense tightened even further in the third quarter.
The Lady Spartans limited second chances, forced contested shots, and turned several stops into transition opportunities. That defensive pressure helped stretch the lead to nearly 20 points midway through the period.
Offensively, North Schuylkill continued to spread the floor and share the ball, with multiple players contributing baskets to keep momentum firmly on their side. By the end of the third quarter, the Spartans had extended their lead to 41-22.
In the fourth quarter, North Schuylkill focused on managing the clock and protecting the lead, slowing the tempo while maintaining defensive discipline. Marian Catholic continued to compete and generated several late baskets, but the Fillies were unable to mount a sustained run.
The Spartans closed things out methodically to secure the 49-31 victory.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Schuylkill | 9 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 49 |
| Marian Catholic | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 31 |
| North Schuylkill | Points | Marian Catholic | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mya Conti | 21 | Addy Marek | 9 |
| Gianna Capone | 12 | DeAnna Pugh | 8 |
| Monica Selgrade | 12 | Haley Minzola | 7 |
| Ella Digris | 3 | Brooke Hannis-Miskar | 4 |
| Payton Gawrylik | 1 | Katie Knock | 3 |
| Team Total | 49 | Team Total | 31 |
