Crestwood knows what’s at hand. The Comets have lived it twice this season.
So when Crestwood (19-3) plays Hazleton Area (23-0) for the Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament girls championship at 4 p.m. Sunday at Wilkes-Barre Area, the Comets aren’t looking at the past.
“They are just playing it one game at a time,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock-Namey said. “We’re still young. We’re still playing three sophomores most of the game. I’m not saying we’re inexperienced, but we’re taking it one day at a time.”
If it were only that simple when it comes to playing Hazleton Area.
Two of Crestwood’s three losses have come against Hazleton Area and they weren’t close — 73-46 on Dec. 12 and 77-45 on Jan. 20. Hazleton Area is the only team to defeat Crestwood since a 65-60 loss to Scranton to start the season.
Crestwood escaped the semifinals with a 48-45 win against Lake-Lehman despite giving up an 18-0 run. Charlie Hiller had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kate Gallagher added 10 points.
The Comets have plenty of height in Hiller (6-foot), Kate Gallagher (6-1) and Jackie Gallagher (5-11). Hazleton Area doesn’t boast the same height, but has adequate size across the board.
Hazleton Area had issues with turnovers in its semifinal game with Holy Redeemer, yet won 75-46. Sophia Benyo, a 5-9 sophomore, had 21 points and 20 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Bindas continued her strong perimeter shooting with 20 points.
“I wasn’t happy. We were kind of sloppy and stuff,” Hazleton Area coach Joe Gavio said. “People might say ‘Oh, you’re not happy.’ I’ve very happy with it, but we can play a lot better than that.”
The key to stopping Hazleton Area — if that’s possible — is to limit baskets in standard offensive sets. The Cougars thrive on a fullcourt press after scoring, creating havoc and starting an avalanche of points.
Redeemer trailed Hazleton Area by seven two minutes into the third quarter. The Cougars led by 23 entering the fourth.
