North Star faces a daunting task

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March 15, 2010

By CORY ISENBERG The Tribune-Democrat Mon Mar 15, 2010, 11:28 PM EDT

When the North Star girls advanced to the second round of the 2009 PIAA basketball tournament, they hadn’t made it that far since 1974.

The gap since the Cougars last appearance in the second round is only a year this time as the District 5 Class AA champions take on defending state champion Villa Maria Academy at 6 p.m. tonight at Butler High School.

North Star (25-1) also played Villa Maria (24-2) last year at Butler in the second round, a 55-34 loss to the Victors.

“The biggest difference between the last time we faced them and this time is experience,” Cougars coach Ed Danel said. “That was invaluable experience for our players. We’ve been using that game last year all this season, through a tough WestPAC schedule, against nonleague opponents and into the playoffs. Our girls have worked hard and prepared all summer and throughout the season. It’s a compliment to all their hard work that we are back here in the state playoffs in the Sweet 16.”

In the first round of the PIAA playoffs, North Star had a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory over District 7-6 finisher Sto-Rox. Villa Maria, the District 10 champions, has won plenty of games by lopsided scores this season, including a 60-24 victory over their first-round opponent, District 7-8 Bishop Canevin.

“I’ve talked to several coaches and they’ve pretty much mercy ruled everyone they’ve played,” Danel said. “In our game against Sto-Rox, they had some quick athletes, and it was very physical, so we’re hoping that will help us against Villa Maria.

“They play with a constant pressure which has done in many teams. It’s hard to duplicate that in practice.”

The Victors are led by 5-foot-11 senior guard Kayla McBride, Pennsylvania’s Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year. McBride, who has accepted a scholarship to play for Notre Dame, averages 21 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.6 steals, 4.9 assists and 2.7 blocks per game.

“She’s hard to stop,” Danel said about McBride, who was held below her average by the Cougars’ defense in last year’s contest. “Teams have to pay so much attention to her that it sets up her teammates to make plays. She’s definitely the hub of the wheel.”

McBride’s sister, freshman Karlee, who is 5-10, is also part of the starting rotation for the Victors along with seniors Cara Weyant, Kaylyn Maruca and Ashley Prischak.

Emily Lohr, a 6-foot junior, is North Star’s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game, while senior guard Chelsea Danel contributes 11.4 points, 8.2 assists and

3.1 steals per game.

Lohr adds 8.1 rebounds per game and senior Karen Schmidt averages 7.2 boards.

The other North Star starters are seniors Stefanie Miller and Breann Putman. The Cougars also get plenty of bench support from junior Bailley Caviness; sophomore Amanda Lohr, younger sister of Emily; junior Alexis Petrilla; and junior Tabatha Smith.

“We still say it, that we’ll play anyone, anytime, anywhere,” Danel said, noting that his squad has had great senior leadership throughout this entire season. “We respect all, but fear none. We have to play basketball and take care of the little things and play as one.

“Villa Maria has players from the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania while we have the best players from Stoystown, Boswell, Kantner, Gray, Jennerstown and the surrounding area of Somerset County.”

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