Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Black Knights ready to rebound from disappointing District 2 championship loss while shooting for a state playoff victory.
Lake-Lehman’s Selena Adamshick led the Wyoiming Valley Conference in scoring with a 21-point average.
DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER
Despite its disappointing loss to Dunmore in last week’s District 2 Class 2A title game, Lake-Lehman gets a chance for redemption tonight.
The Black Knights (22-3) face District 1 champion Springfield-Montco (18-8) at 6 p.m. at Wissahickon High School in Ambler in opening round play of the PIAA Class 2A state tournament.
“One of our main goals before the season was to win a game in the state playoffs,” said Lake-Lehman coach Jim Spencer. “We still can accomplish it.”
It won’t be easy, especially if the Black Knights perform like they did in their 41-24 loss to Dunmore in the district final. The Bucks employed a diamond-and-one defense against Lake-Leman forward Selena Adamshick, limiting the 6-foot senior to 12 points.
Adamshick led the Wyoiming Valley Conference in scoring with a 21-point average, and scored more than 30 points in each of Lake-Lehman’s three games prior to playing Dunmore.
“We’re going to need a big game from Selena if we’re going to stay alive,” Spencer said. “She’s capable, because I think she’ll be the best player on the court.”
Adamshick didn’t get much offensive support against Dunmore. To compound matters, junior point guard Nikki Sutliff suffered a bruised knee early in the first quarter and wound up with only six points.
Sutliff missed two days of practice this week, but is expected to be in the starting lineup.
“She took it easy,” Spencer said. “Hopefully, she’ll be ready to go (tonight). We’re counting on her to guard their best player (Elise DiFilippo). Nikki is the smartest player I’ve ever coached.”
That might turn out to be a major challenge. The 5-6 DiFilippo scored 20 points in Springfield-Montco’s 59-57 overtime win over Christopher Dock in the district finals last Saturday, including the winning points.
DiFilippo was fouled while putting up a desperation shot from mid-court in the closing seconds, and converted two-of-three free throws.
“She’s an outstanding player,” Spencer said. “She handles the ball well and drives to the basket. “She’s not tall, but is very scrappy.”
The Spartans also rely heavily on 5-8 forward Annie Curele and 5-6 guard Taylor Koronical.
“Curele is an outside shooter and rebounds well,” Spencer said. “Koronical is a good shooter and a solid all-around player.
“Springfield is a lot like Nanticoke Area,” he added. “They don’t have any big girls, but they play the same man-to-man defense and really scrap.”
Spencer is well aware that Adamshick needs to have a stellar performance for Lehman to have a chance to spring the upset.
“We need her to patrol the paint. Springfield’s number one problem is to be able to stop Selena.”
The coach is confident that his team has shaken off the Dunmore loss.
“We’re disappointed, but we’re ready to play this game.”
If you go
Take Route 115 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Merge onto I-476 toward Allentown and take the turnpike south to the Lansdale exit (exit 31). Exit toward Lansdale and go 4.8 miles. Continue on Main Street for 0.8 miles. Continue on Sunneytown Pike for 2.5 miles. Bear right onto North Bethlehem Pike and go 1 mile. Turn right on Dager Road and go 0.1 mile. Turn left on Houston Road and go 0.4 miles directly to Wissahickon High School.