In order to make it to the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball championship game, Crestwood must overcome a hurdle it couldn’t clear a year earlier.
And despite perception, that hurdle is just as difficult.
District 12 champion Archbishop Wood (15-12) doesn’t bring in its usual impressive record, but the District 12 Vikings will nonetheless be a tough foe for District 2 champion Crestwood (26-3).
The semifinal game is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Liberty High School. In the 6 p.m. opener, District 2 champion Scranton Prep plays District 12 champion Neumann-Goretti in a Class 4A girls semifinal.
“Last year, just getting to this point created a lot of experience,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock-Namey said. “It gave us a little bit of an idea of what to expect in these situations and I think we just rolled with it.”
The winner plays either District 7 champion South Fayette (28-1) or District 7 fourth seed Peters Township (18-11) for the championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Giant Center in Hershey.
Archbishop Wood won four consecutive state titles before losing in the championship game last season. The Vikings routed Crestwood 69-35 in the semifinals in 2025.
The reason Wood’s record doesn’t look as impressive as in the past is twofold.
First, four starters had to be replaced, including Crestwood’s two biggest problems from last year. Emily Knouse is now playing at St. Joseph’s. Ryan Carter, who scored 23 points, transferred to Friend’s Central School, which is part of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association.
Secondly, Wood plays one of the toughest schedules in the state that includes a handful of high-quality opponents from out of state.
Wood has been on a roll, winning eight of nine games. The Vikings’ only loss in that span was to Archbishop Carroll, which is playing in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
In three state wins, Wood is averaging 70.6 points while surrendering 31 per game. The Vikings dismantled a 25-win Bethlehem Catholic team 69-32 in the quarterfinals with Abbie Kelly scoring 17 and Makayla Finnegan, the only returning starter, scoring 11. Three-point ace Emma Yogis also scored 11.
Crestwood won all three state games by double digits. The Comets played their best game in a 59-35 victory over Lampeter-Strasburg in the quarterfinals.
Jackie Gallagher had 23 points and 10 rebounds and, along with fellow 6-footer Charlie Hiller, established control inside. Keira Dougherty slashed inside for some of her 15 points. Jordan Andrews scored 10 and along with fellow guard Cameron Vieney helped create 23 turnovers.
“We want it so badly and we’re all just best friends,” Andrews said. “We’ve been working together for many years at this point.”
Tickets are $9 and available at piaa.org by clicking on any of the links on the playoff brackets. Tickets are also available at the door for $10, but exact change is required.
