Mar 13, 2025
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Bishop Guilfoyle’s Anberlyn Petrecca is pressured by Aquinas’ Katie Tarquinio.
KITTANNING — The Aquinas Academy Crusaders knew they faced tall challenges against the District 6 Class 1A girls’ basketball champion Bishop Guilfoyle Academy on Wednesday.
And there were many.
The Marauders had challenges of their own during their PIAA second-round playoff game. Bishop Guilfoyle built a 12-0 cushion from the opening tipoff and breezed to its 17th successive victory, 60-27, at Armstrong High School.
The challenges that the Marauders had to deal with included playing all-out against a team it expected to defeat easily, striving to avoid complacency, and becoming better prepared for the inevitable next game.
“I thought we started the game with great defensive intensity. That’s what got us early points, to be able to get out in transition. But we were disappointed with the number of times that we turned the ball over tonight,” Marauders coach Kristi Kaack said.
Anberlyn Petrecca led the Lady Marauders with 13 points and nine rebounds.
“We were told to play hard, don’t overlook them, and push to get to the next game,” the sophomore said.
“We don’t want to overlook a team because we never know how they’ll play. They could have a good day, and we could have a bad day. We want to come out with the same mind-set every game.”
Bishop Guilfoyle (27-2) forced 21 turnovers against an Aquinas team that appeared tentative at times in its halfcourt offense. On the downside, the Marauders committed 13 turnovers.
“So the hope moving forward is that we take care of the ball a little bit better. But I still thought we stepped up and made the shots when we needed them and earned extra opportunities,” Kaack said.
“I think we struggled a little bit shooting today, all around. (We also need to) play better under pressure,” Petrecca said.
Bishop Guilfoyle entered the second quarter with a 19-2 lead and padded the difference to 34-10 by halftime. Petrecca’s 3-point field goal midway through the third period prompted enactment of the mercy rule.
“We came out a little bit flat. And when you play a good team like Bishop Guilfoyle, they’re going to take advantage of that,” Aquinas coach Andrew Kurzawski said.
One area that Kaack found out of character was Bishop Guilfoyle’s struggles at the free-throw line. The Marauders’ 4 out of 10 line might appear trivial in a game that was decided basically before the fans had settled in their seats, to be sure.
“Honestly, these kids are pretty consistent and it was, I think, a little bit uncharacteristic for the kids to miss them,” Kaack said. “All we can do moving forward is get some extra shots up and, hopefully, they go in the next game.”
“I definitely was thinking about it too hard today,” said Petrecca, who missed all four free-throw opportunities. “I’ll do better next time.”
Aquinas junior Elliot Keverline led all scorers with 17 points. The Crusaders (17-9) returned only one starter from the previous season, and had to make do without sophomore Carly Bezila, a strong ballhandler and 3-point shooter. She contracted the flu and was not able to make the trip from Gibsonia.
“We had a lot of young kids. So this was their first opportunity to get into the state tournament,” Kurzawski said. “Bishop Guilfoyle, year in and year out, defending state champions. They’re the best of the best. It was a good opportunity for us to step on the floor against some good competition.”
The Marauders will take on Saint Joseph’s Academy in a West region semifinal game on Saturday at a site and time to be announced. The Wolfpack eliminated District 9 champion DuBois Central Catholic, 51-42.
Saturday’s Class A West region semifinals will feature all four teams that advanced from District 6. Bishop Carroll Catholic will face Williamsburg in the other Class A regional semifinal on Saturday.
District 6 Class 2A champion Bishop McCort Catholic, runner-up Penns Manor and district Class 3A champion Central Cambria play on Friday. The Crushers (6 p.m.) and Comets (nightcap) make up both ends of a playoff doubleheader at Armstrong High School.
Kaack said this speaks well for District 6 girls’ basketball in the lower classifications, and for the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, which includes Bishop McCort.
“District 6 is very strong, especially in 1A, this year. So credit (goes) to the district. And they’re all good teams,” Kaack said. “It’s nice to be able to see good competition. I think this is what prepares our kids and gets us ready for the state playoffs.”
AQUINAS ACADEMY (27): E.Keverline 4 7-8 17, F.Hite 0 0-0 0, Duer 3 0-0 8, L.Keverline 0 0-0 0, Tarquinio 0 0-0 0, Chufo 0 2-2 2. Totals — 7 9-10 27.
BISHOP GUILFOYLE (60): Williams 3 0-0 7, Querry 2 0-2 4, Ruggery 2 4-4 9, Petrarcca 6 0-4 13, Haigh 2 0-0 4, Adams 3 0-0 9, Homan 3 0-0 8, A.Hite 1 0-0 2, Gofus 2 0-0 4, Stewart 0 0-0 0. Totals — 24 4-10 60.
BY QUARTERS:
Aquinas Academy 2 8 20 7 — 27
Bishop Guilfoyle 19 15 12 14 — 60
3-point field goals: Aquinas Academy 4 (Duer 2, E.Keverline 2), Bishop Guilfoyle 8 (Adams 3, Homan 2, Petrarcca, Ruggery, Williams).
Officials: Jeremy Sabo, David Lapp, James Hobai.
Team records: Bishop Guilfoyle (27-2), Aquinas Academy (17-9).
Keegan Hewitt, a member of the Hollidaysburg Junior High school wrestling team, recently won a state championship …
For the 330 wrestlers who were fortunate to earn a berth in the 2025 NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships, all …
Copyright © Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411
