By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Mackenzie Perluke’s knack for scoring while being fouled and Thalia Irizarry’s ability to convert from the foul line carried Wyoming Valley West to its first postseason championship since 1978 when the Lady Spartans defeated Williamsport, 48-32, Friday night in the District 2-4 Class 6A Subregional girls basketball championship game.
Wyoming Valley West took control in the second quarter of the game at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza when Perluke scored six points and Haylie Oliphant added five during a 12-2 run.
The Lady Spartans put the game away when Irizarry, a freshman, went 6-for-7 from the line while scoring half of her 16 points in the final 2:12.
Perluke helped turn a two-point lead into a 14-point advantage. Irizarry stopped a Williamsport rally that had cut a 18-point deficit in half during a 4½-minute stretch of the fourth quarter.
Wyoming Valley West dominated the middle two quarters, 24-10, but Williamsport battled the Lady Spartans early and late.
After trading the lead, Wyoming Valley West emerged from the first quarter with a 12-10 lead.
Perluke started creating separation when she hit a runner in the lane while being fouled after grabbing her own rebound. Although she did not convert the three-point play, she did one better with a four-point play with 2:55 left in the half by making a moving 3-pointer while being fouled.
That shot was part of a 4-for-9 effort from 3-point range by the Lady Spartans in the first half. They did not attempt another shot from beyond the arc.
“(Coach Gary Ferenchick) did not want us shooting outside shots because we’re not used to playing in an arena like this,” said Perluke, who had 13 points. “We wanted to drive to the basket, but we were making our open shots. They were falling.”
Gabby Marsola hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Oliphant’s 3-pointer preceded Perluke’s four-point play.
When Kiersten Rinehimer followed by hitting one of two free throws off an offensive rebound, the lead was at 24-12 late in the first half.
Rinehimer, Irizarry and Perluke each scored two baskets during a 12-1 finish to the third quarter and Claudia Siegfried opened the fourth quarter with two free throws for a 38-20 lead.
The Lady Millionaires tried to make things interesting with a 10-1 run.
“It was a little scary because we wanted to keep our lead,” Perluke said, “but we just had to keep fighting and not give up.”
Anya Richet, who grabbed 12 rebounds, and Rinehimer each blocked 4 shots.
“They all did it together,” Ferenchick said, pointing to improved bench production in the time since Perluke returned from missing time with an ankle injury.
That combination produced the first District 2 championship in 45 years.
“This means the world to this program,” Ferenchick said.
Wyoming Valley West (16-8) will host Abington Friday at 7 p.m. to open the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 6A state tournament. Abington, the ninth-place team from District 1 is 21-5.
Alexandra Chilson led Williamsport with 9 points and 14 rebounds, 8 of them offensive.
MORE CLASS 6A GIRLS FINAL COVERAGE
Expanded boxscore: Class 6A girls expanded boxscore – NEPA Sports Nation.
Photo Gallery: Williamsport/ Wyoming Valley West Photo Gallery – NEPA Sports Nation.
Broadcast archive: District 2/4 Class 6A Girls: Williamsport vs. Wyoming Valley West | Basketball | NPFNetwork6 (meridix.com).
Video highlights: NEPA Sports Nation on Instagram: “WVW was attacking getting to the rim in their win over Williamsport! Championship video brought to you by Burke Stone Supply & Maddock…”.
