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Redeemer shows it can also play defense
Holy Redeemer’s Julia Wignot, right, goes in for a layup as Hazleton Area’s Annie Bono defends during a high school girls basketball game Thursday night in Wilkes-Barre. Holy Redeemer won the game, 55-33.
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Hazleton Area’s Cassie Sereta, right, passes the ball as Holy Redeemer’s Allison Capaci traps her in the corner in WVC girls basketball Thursday night in Wilkes-Barre.
BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
WILKES-BARRE—It’s no secret that Holy Redeemer has one of the most powerful offenses in the Wyoming Valley Conference. However, the Royals also are capable of shutting teams down with their swarming man-to-man defense.
Just ask Hazleton Area.
Holy Redeemer limited the Cougars to just 15 points for the first three quarters en route to an impressive 53-33 victory over the defending District 2, Class 4A champions in a game that proved to be a mismatch.
“Defense is the most important aspect of our game,” said Royals coach Rich Nemetz. “We concentrate on defense first, and then our offense follows.”
Holy Redeemer seemed to play with more urgency on both sides of the court. The Royals did a superb job of clogging up the paint, and consistently outhustled the Cougars for loose balls.
Despite their record, the Royals (6-0 second-half WVC), had more at stake. Holy Redeemer, which captured the Division II first-half title, can wrap up the division with a victory when it hosts Berwick (5-1) on Monday. However, a loss could result in a three-way tie for the second half crown between the Royals, Dallas and Berwick.
Hazleton Area (5-1 second-half WVC) already has wrapped up the Division I second-half title. The Cougars will meet first-half winner Crestwood next week at a date and site to be determined for the division crown.
Holy Redeemer gained the upper hand in the first quarter, jumping out to a 12-4 lead on a basket by Sydney Myers in the closing minute. Hazleton Area, meanwhile, struggled from the field – missing three shots from close in during the early going.
“We could have been ahead 6-1 if we had converted those layups,” said Hazleton Area coach Joe Gavio.
“We just didn’t come to play. We were completely out of whack.”
The Royals, meanwhile, got some key baskets by Ann Marie Wempa and Julia Wignot in the first half to quickly put Hazleton Area in the rear view mirror. Holy Redeemer held a 30-8 halftime lead, and extended the margin to 45-15 at the end of the third quarter.
Senior guard Olivia Francisco caught fire in the second half, and led the Royals with 17 points. Sophomore center Myers had 11 points, while Wempa and Wignot each scored nine points.
“Our defense definitely carried us,” said Francisco, who tossed in three three-point baskets.
“It’s our top priority in practice. We pressed them and we were flying all over the court. We wound up getting some great shots.”
Francisco said the Royals are improving with every game, but still have a lot of work to do.
“We have to keep working hard to get better. We still have a tough game against Berwick coming up.”
Wempa was an offensive force, especially in the first half. She sliced through Cougar defenders three times and scored from short range.
“I definitely had confidence,: Wempa said. “It was a great feeling to call for the ball, knowing I was going to score.”
Wempa believes the Royals are playing well enough to possibly make an impact if they get to the state playoffs, but are not looking past their next game. “We have a coach who keeps us grounded,” she said.
Sophomore guard Keana Schoennagle paced Hazleton Area with nine points, including three three point baskets.
“We are capable of playing much better,” said Gavio. “We can’t play again like we did tonight.”
HAZLETON AREA (33): Bono 1 3-4 6, K. Schoennagle 3 0-0 9, A. Schuetz 1 0-0 2, Pfiel 2 0-0 4, Ziminski 2 0-0 4, Bachman 0 0-0 0, Ziminski 0 0-0 0, Carter 1 0-0 2, Sereta 1 2-2 4, Cannon 1 0-2 2. Totals 12 5-8 33.
HOLY REDEEMER (53): Wempa 4 1-2 9, Wignot 3 3-4 9, Makowski 0 0-0 0, Dougherty 0 0-0 0, Murray 0 0-0 0, Capaci 0 0-0 0, Griseto 1 0-0 2, Maximowicz 2 1-1 5, Francisco 5 4-4 17, Platko 0 0-0 0, Myers 5 1-3 11, Boich 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 10-14 53.
Hazleton Area
6
2
7
18
—
33
Holy Redeemer
14
16
15
8
—
53
3-Point Field Goals— HAZ: 4 Bono, Schoennagle 3. HR : Francisco 3