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IMG_5030BY JEFF FALK

HAMBURG – Not all teams with great chemistry are great. But all great teams possess great chemistry.

The Lebanon Catholic girls’ basketball team has had good chemistry throughout this 2016-16 season. But when the Beavers’ chemistry became great, so did they.

On Saturday afternoon at Hamburg High School, Lebanon Catholic’s pursuit of greatness continued during a 58-38 triumph over Pottsville Nativity, in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class A playoffs – and heart, leadership and cohesion had a lot to do with it. Lebanon Catholic raced out to an early 13-point lead and then outscored the Golden Girls in both of the middle periods.

IMG_5227With the victory, the Beavers moved to 23-7 and into the state semifinals for the first time in 14 years. Lebanon Catholic will face Sunday’s winner between District Four champion Lourdes Regional and District One champion Jenkintown, on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

The win was also Lebanon Catholic’s sixth straight playoff victory of 20 points or more.

Pottsville Nativity, the champion of District One, completed its campaign at 14-14.

“It’s not that there was no chemistry, but it took some time to develop on the court,” said Lebanon Catholic head coach Patti Hower. “It’s gotten better as the season has gone on. That’s been key. I think our chemistry is great. They (her players) all get along and no one cares who scores or who the high scorer is. Nessha (Pierre) does a great job as a leader. We’ve really come together as a team. I think that’s who we are.

“(To be a great team) on the court, it has to be there,” continued Hower. “You have to have it. Our state championship teams had great chemistry, but they weren’t as athletic as this team. This team is athletic and has great chemistry. It says something that they’ve gotten to the Eastern final and have not been challenged.”

IMG_5112The Beavers’ latest triumph was all about the start.Lebanon Catholic never trailed, and from the middle of the opening quarter on wasn’t seriously headed.

The Beavers’ active man-to-man defense was the culprit, as it forced Golden-Girl-turnover after Golden-Girl-turnover and held Pottsville Nativity without a point for an 8:26 span that stretched from the early portions of the first quarter into the early moments of the second. Nursing a 5-4 edge, the resulting 12-0 run featured six points from junior Alexis Hill and scoring contributions from Pierre and Celine Mars. and gave LCS a 17-4 bulge.

Though not as easy as it may sound, all that was left for Catholic to do the rest of the way was hold serve. The Beavers did, with a few aces thrown in along the way.

“I liked our energy,” said Hower. “I liked the way we jumped on the other team early. We made good decisions. We got good balanced scoring. We got off to a good start, which we’ve been doing in the postseason. It was a good team win. We’re moving on.

IMG_5217“(When we get out to an early lead) we want to keep attacking, but it’s a fine line,” Hower continued. “We can’t take away the attacking mentality because that’s who we are. It’s what we do. But you want to make good decisions.”

A pair of three-pointers from Jasmine Turner, a stick-back by Pierre and a Hill inside move stretched the Lebanon Catholic advantage to 27-7. Then Hill placed her stamp on the outcome late in the second stanza, as the Beavers carried a 34-14 to the break.

“Up in the coal regions it’s pound ’em and grind ’em,” said Hower. “We like more of a run-and-gun style of play. This is probably the most athletic team I’ve ever had. You can make up  for a lot of deficiencies with that. As long as you’re playing defense, we can get away with things offensively.”

Hill collected 17 points and 15 caroms, and was her disruptive self on defense and in the open court. Mars popped for 14 points and was opportunistic around the basket. Turner’s 13 points included a trio of treys. And Pierre dropped in 11 points despite battling foul difficulties.

IMG_5067Lebanon Catholic scored 19 two-pointers and went 11-for-15 at the foul stripe. The Golden Girls converted just eight of their 21 free-throw attempts and were turned over 22 times,

“Our strength is our ability to run the court, and we have multiple scorers. And they can all handle the ball,” said Hower. “Celine is playing well, rebounding, making her foul shots. She feels comfortable. She’s really improved. When she was a freshman, there was a stretch when she only made one of 28 foul shots. She was not a good foul shooter. Now she has a soft touch.

“I’m just happy we’re in the semis,” added Hower. “It’s been a few years.”

Another 9-0 run, this one in the middle of the third stanza, allowed Catholic to breathe even more easily. Pierre accounted for five of those points and Mars had four, as the Beavers opened it up to 43-17.

“Against Faith Christian we had a nice lead at halftime, and we came out flat in the second half,” said Hower. “I told the girls, ‘We just don’t want to let them back into the game’. We just kind of wanted to maintain our lead.

“I thought we played well,” Hower added. “They (the Golden Girls) scored toward the end. But they had 14 points at halftime. That’s the difference between this year’s team and teams in the past. Teams in the past haven’t been as good as this one defensively.”

A Mars bucket two minutes into the final quarter gave Lebanon Catholic a 51-25 lead.

“Lourdes (Regional) got us the last two years,” said Hower of a possible state semifinal. “I think we’d welcome a rematch with Lourdes. But it doesn’t matter. Absolutely we can get to Hershey (and the PIAA championship contest). It’s only one more game.”

IMG_5145Lebanon Catholic won Class A state championships under Hower in 1991-92 and 1994-95.

 

 

To purchase images in this article email jkfalk2005@yahoo.com, or to view more go to https://lebanonsportsbuzz.com/photo-gallery/.

 

 

 

 

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2016-17 Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball Results

Date Opponent Results
12/13
7:00 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Mahanoy Area
29
44
12/14
7:30 pm
Trinity
at Lebanon Catholic
33
56
12/16
7:30 pm
Pequea Valley
at Lebanon Catholic
35
62
12/17
6:00 pm
Christian School of York
at Lebanon Catholic
12
62
12/19
7:30 pm
Northern Lebanon
at Lebanon Catholic
42
45
12/21
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Elco
63
46
12/27
1:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
Marian Catholic
39
52
12/29
7:30 pm
Linden Hall
at Lebanon Catholic
39
53
12/30
7:30 pm
Donegal
at Lebanon Catholic
51
43
1/03
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Lancaster Mennonite
60
37
1/06
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Columbia
52
42
1/09
6:00 pm
Lititz Christian
at Lebanon Catholic
22
71
1/10
7:30 pm
Lancaster Catholic
at Lebanon Catholic
42
41
1/13
6:00 pm
Annville-Cleona
at Lebanon Catholic
26
48
1/17
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Pequea Valley
75
50
1/20
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Northern Lebanon
31
44
1/24
7:30 pm
Elco
at Lebanon Catholic
35
59
1/27
7:30 pm
Lancaster Mennonite
at Lebanon Catholic
43
57
1/31
7:30 pm
Columbia
at Lebanon Catholic
38
57
2/03
8:00 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Lancaster Catholic
39
49
2/06
6:00 pm
High Point Baptist
at Lebanon Catholic
16
71
2/07
7:30 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Annville-Cleona
46
27
2/09
6:00 pm
Lebanon Catholic
Cocalico
at Warwick
43
42
2/11
7:00 pm
Lebanon Catholic
at Cedar Crest
54
63
2/24
7:00 pm
Christian School of York
at Lebanon Catholic
35
58
2/28
8:00 pm
Lebanon Catholic
Linden Hall
at Lower Dauphin
53
31
3/03
3:15 pm
Lebanon Catholic
Halifax
at Hershey’s Giant Center
55
27
3/11
6:30 pm
Galeton
Lebanon Catholic
at Warwick
29
53
3/16
6:00 pm
Faith Christian
Lebanon Catholic
at Tulpehocken
33
68
3/18
1:00 pm
Pottsville Nativity
Lebanon Catholic
at Hamburg Area H.S.

 

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Most Prolific Scorers in Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball History
1. Becky Hower (2001) 2,445 points
2. Catherine Andrews (2004) 1,670 points
3. Abby Minder (1995) 1,587 points
4. Lauren Boyer (2005) 1,544 points
5. Joni Brown (1991) 1,417 points
6. Jaime Podjed (2000) 1,346 points
7. Sarah Wade (1995) 1,248 points
8. Ann-Marie Fick (1985) 1,147 points
9. Lauren Fortna (2003) 1,065 points
10. Jenna Uhrich (2000) 1,062 points
Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball: A History of Champions
PIAA Class A Championships

IMG_50831994-95

1991-92
District Three Class A Championships
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2011-12
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2003-04
2002-03
2001-02
2000-01
1999-2000
1998-99
1995-96
IMG_51331994-95
1993-94
1992-93
1991-92
1988-89
1979-80
Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships
1980-81
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Championships
1994-95
1993-94
1992-93
1991-92
1984-85
1981-82
1980-81

IMG_5186Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball

 SINGLE GAME RECORDS

 

Most points scored in a game by L.C.            —          106  vs. PequeaValley  (2000-2001)

Most points scored in a game by Opp.           —          94  Allentown Central Catholic  (1990-1991)

Fewest points scored in a game by L.C.         —          9  vs.  Columbia  (1985-1986)

Fewest points scored in a game by Opp.        —          11  Pequea Valley  (1982-1983)

Most points in a game                                     —          Becky Hower 45 vs Donegal (2000-2001)

Most foul shots made in a game                     —          Joni Brown  15 for 20  vs. McDevitt  (1990-1991)

Lauren Boyer 15 for 19 vs. Lancaster Catholic (2004- 2005)

Most offensive rebounds in a game                —          Myra Kline  14  (1980-1981)

Most defensive rebounds in a game               —          Lisa Simpson  19  (1985-1986)

IMG_5049Most total rebounds in a game                        —          Hailey Carangelo  22  (2007 – 2010)

Most assists in a game                                     —          Marie Schlegel  15  vs. Columbia  (1994-1995)

Most steals in a game                                      —          Becky Hower 14  vs. Lancaster Christian  (1998-1999)

Most 3 point shots made in a game                —          Becky Hower   7  (1999-2000)

 

Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball

 SINGLE SEASON RECORDS

Offensive Rebounds               —          Myra Kline                  191                  (1980-1981)

Defensive Rebounds               —          Alicia Barlet                240                  (1980-1981)

Total Rebounds                       —          Myra Kline                  402                  (1980-1981)

Steals                                       —          Becky Hower              153                  (1998-1999)

IMG_5106Assists                                     —          Marie Schlegel            221                  (1994-1995)

Field Goals Made                   —          Joni Brown                  292                  (1990-1991)

Free Throws Made                  —          Joni Brown                  125                  (1990-1991)

Total Points                             —          Becky Hower              731                  (1999-2000)

Average                                   —          Joni Brown                  24.6ppg.          (1990-1991)

Free Throw %                         —          Sam Carangelo            89%                 (2005-2006)

Field Goal %                           —          Meghan Orr                 57%                 (2007-2008)

3 Point Shots Made                —          Becky Hower              82                    (2000-2001)

 

Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball

 CAREER RECORDS

Offensive Rebounds               —          Myra Kline                  362

IMG_5231Defensive Rebounds               —          Becky Hower              709

Total Rebounds                       —          Becky Hower              1017

Steals                                       —          Becky Hower              519

Assists                                     —          Marie Schlegel            766

Field Goals Made                   —          Becky Hower              712

Free Throws Made                  —          Abby Minder              343

Becky Hower          —     343

Total Points                             —          Becky Hower              2445

Free Throw %                         —          Sam Carangelo            77%

Field Goal %                           —          Sarah Wade                 50%

IMG_5238Becky Hower              50%

Average                                   —          Becky Hower              20.6

3 Point Shots Made                —          Becky Hower              226

 

Lebanon Catholic Girls’ Basketball

 TEAM RECORD SEASON TOTALS

L.C. highest average points per game             —          66.2     (2000-2001)

Opp. highest average points per game            —          58.0     (2005-2006)

L.C.  lowest average points per game             —          35.0     (2013-2014)

Opp. lowest aveage points per game              —          37.5     (2009-2010)

Offensive Rebounds                                       —          603      (1980-1981)

IMG_5087Defensive Rebounds                                       —          825      (1980-1981)

Total Rebounds                                               —          1428    (1980-1981)

Steals                                                               —          584      (2001-2002)

Assists                                                             —          596      (1980-1981)

Field Goals Made                                           —          780      (1980-1981)

Free Throws Made                                          —          384      (2001-2002)

Total Points                                                     —          2101    (1999-2000)

3 Point Shots Made                                        —          118      (2000-2001)

Free Throw %                                                 —          69%     (1993-1994)

Field Goal %                                                   —          46%     (1990-1991) (2000-2001)

Consecutive Lanc.-Leb. League Section 3 Wins  —  44  1/20/92 to 1/27/95

IMG_4963Consecutive Home Wins        —          46        12/27/90 to 12/7/95

Longest Winning Streak         —          29        2/20/92 to 2/25/93

Most Wins in a Season            —          28-2     (l994-1995)

Fewest Wins in a Season        —          3          (1975-1976)

Most Losses in a Season         —          18        (2013-2014)

Fewest Losses in a Season      —          2          (1992-1993, 1994-1995)

 

Farthest Advancement in PIAA/State Tournament  —

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Eastern Semi-Finals    (1980-1981, 1984-1985, 1988-1989, 1995-1996, 2000-2001, 2001-2002)

Eastern Finals              (1993-1994, 1999-2000, 2002-2003)

State Champion          (1991-1992, 1994-1995)

 

 

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