Published Wednesday, March 19, 1997

`Valley View misses return to final game`

The Associated Press

Valley View fell short of a second consecutive berth in the PIAA Class AAA title game despite Bill Celuck's 26 points and nine rebounds, as Susquehanna Township recorded a 71-53 victory in a semifinal game played at Pottsville.

Susquehanna Township will make its first appearance in a title game since 1980, at 8 p.m. Friday at Hershey against Lewistown, which will make its first trip to the finals since 1928.

Valley View, the District 2 champion, lost in last year's title game to Blackhawk.

Susquehanna Township (30-2), the District 3 runner-up, rallied from a 33-32 halftime deficit Tuesday with a 21-7 third-quarter surge and dominated the second half. The Indians had four players score in double figures, including Kevin Devan and Reggie Guy, who had 14 and 12 respectively.

Lewistown (28-6), the District 6 champion, earned a shot at the title with a 66-64 victory over District 7 champion Chartiers Valley (30-3).

Lewistown was down 37-27 at the half, but outscored Chartiers Valley 25-9 in the third quarter and had a 66-62 lead with 1:43 left, but almost let it slip away.

Chartiers Valley cut the advantage to two points with a basket by Antwon McCray with 1:26 left, but the Colts missed four shots and turned the ball over twice while Lewistown failed on seven attempts from the foul line. The game ended with a Chartiers Valley turnover.

Brian O'Donnell led Lewistown with 20 points and Mark Coulter had 18, while Mike Colbert led Chartiers Valley with 18.

In Class A boys, District 7 runner-up Sewickley Academy advanced to the title game for the first time with a 51-50 victory over Kennedy Christian, the District 10 third place finisher.

Sewickley Academy's opponent in the title game, which will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Hershey, is Schuylkill Haven (30-3), the District 11 champion. Schuylkill Haven earned its first title berth with a 46-41 victory over Holy Name (25-6), the fourth place finisher from District 3.

In Class AAAA girls, District 7 champion Woodland Hills heads to its first title game after a 50-44 victory over Oakland Catholic, the District 7 seventh place finisher.

Korie Morton led Woodland Hills (31-2) with 20 points, while Danielle Johnson added 10. Liz Monroe led Oakland Catholic (21-10) with 14.

Woodland Hills' opponent in the title game, which will be held Friday at 6 p.m. at Hershey, is District 1 champion Downingtown (30-1). Downingtown earned its sixth title berth in 12 years with a 44-33 victory over District 1 runner-up Cheltenham (27-6).

In Class AA girls, District 3 runner-up Trinity (31-1) won its fifth title berth in 12 years with a 50-40 victory over District 11 champion Palmerton (30-1). Trinity won the championship in 1986 and lost final games in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Trinity's opponent in the title game, which will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Hershey, is District 7 champion Greensburg Central Catholic.

Becky Berrett and Theresa Dannhard each scored 12 points to lead Greensburg Central Catholic (31-2) to its first title appearance with a 38-31 victory over D-10 champ Girard (25-5).

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Updated March 19, 1997
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