WRIGHT TWP. — A segment of just over six minutes in the third quarter caused trepidation for Crestwood on Saturday afternoon.
A strong close to the quarter along with a late-game spurt eliminated the issue.
Crestwood saw a double-digit lead dwindle to a single point, yet was able to hold on to defeat Manheim Central 51-39 in a PIAA Class 5A girls basketball first-round game.
Guard Jordan Andrews played a key role in stopping the Manheim Central rally attempt and icing the game in the final two minutes.
Andrews’ steal and layup capped a 7-0 that gave the Comets a 38-30 lead late in the third quarter. She had another steal for a layup as well as a cut inside for a basket as the Comets scored the game’s final eight points.
“You can always rely on her defense,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock-Namey said. “She’s is one of the quickest girls I’ve ever seen. When she wants to step it in gear she really can. Defense is her game and we always tell her defense leads to her offense.”
The victory came a week after Crestwood (22-4) won its first-ever District 2 championship. Up next for the Comets is a second-round game with District 12 second seed Freire Charter (17-11) on Wednesday at a time and site to be determined.
“It’s awesome,” Andrews said. “We’re all so excited. We made history twice now. We’re all best friends and it’s great to have a close connection. We feel like family and to win with them it’s the best feeling ever really.”
Chances for a second-round game looked favorable at halftime. Crestwood led 28-17 as Kendall Petrosky had 11 points. District 3 fourth seed Manheim Central (17-10) was firing up 3-pointers with poor results. The Barons were just 1-of-12 behind the arc in the first half.
Manheim Central, though, was having mild success inside and went there in the third quarter. The Barons went on a 9-0 run and Carsyn Zeiset’s 3-pointer moved the Barons within 31-30 at 1:39.
“I don’t know why we came out like that in the second half,” Mushock-Namey said. “I think we were comfortable with our lead and they just wanted it a little bit more. It took us to blow our lead to actually get a little more motivated and kick it in gear.”
Crestwood then scored seven points in a 50-second span with Jackie Gallagher hitting two free throws, Petrosky connecting on a 3-pointer and Andrews converting a steal into a layup.
Manheim Central was able to cut the deficit to 43-39 with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter, but Crestwood ran off the game’s final nine points.
The final two points came of free throws by Cameron Vieney with 9.9 seconds left. Manheim Central coach Mike Smith was slapped with a technical foul, apparently upset at another foul against his team.
Crestwood shot 26 free throws compared to two by Manheim Central. The Barons had starter Lilah Walters called for her fourth foul with 4:07 left in the second quarter and starter Madelyn Gehman fouled out with 1:20 remaining.
PIAA Class 5A Girls First Round
Crestwood 51, Manheim Central 39
MANHEIM CENTRAL (39) — Madelyn Gehman 5 0-0 10, Laken Zeiset 1 0-2 2, Gianna Walters 1 0-0 2, Lilah Walters 2 0-0 4, Cailey Hoover 2 0-0 4, Kate Myer 2 0-0 4, Carsyn Zeiset 5 0-0 13, Mackenzie Pearson 0 0-0 0, Merideth Grissinger 0 0-0 0, J.Redcay 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 0-2 39.
CRESTWOOD (51) — Charlie Hiller 3 0-2 6, Kendall Petrosky 4 4-5 14, Jackie Gallagher 0 2-2 2, Jordan Andrews 5 1-2 13, Kate Gallagher 2 6-7 10, Cameron Vieney 1 3-4 6, Norah Sklarosky 0 0-0 0, Emilie Stofko 0 0-0 0, Aryanna Kijek 0 0-2 0, Mia Manosky 0 0-0 0, Sydney Van Dusen 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 16-26 51.
Manheim Central`8`9`15`7 — 39
Crestwodo`16`12`10`13 — 51
Three-point goals: MC 3 (C.Zeiset 3). CRE 5 (Petrosky 2, Andrews 2, Vieney).
