NEPA Sports Nation

Abington gallops past Valley West

Wyoming Valley West played visiting Abington on nearly even terms over the final three quarters Saturday.

The Lady Spartans, however, could never overcome the damage done by Cire Worley and Abril Bowers in the first quarter.

Worley and Bowers each hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 25-point first quarter that carried the Galloping Ghosts from the Philadelphia suburbs past the District 2-4 Subregional champions, 69-56, in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 6A girls basketball state tournament opener.

The victory moved Abington within one game of its sixth state quarterfinal appearance since 2010 and ended Wyoming Valley West’s season.

Worley, the school’s all-time leading scorer with more than 1,500 points, scored a game-high 29 points. She has scored as many as 38 points in a game this season and 35 in the postseason.

Bowers added 19 points.

Maya Johnson dished out nine assists.

Anya Richet went 6-for-8 from the line while leading Wyoming Valley West with 18 points.

Mackenzie Perluke hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Spartans could not cut into the 13-point deficit after three quarters.

Abington (22-5) led 25-14 after one quarter and 37-30 at halftime.

Haylie Oliphant had all nine of her points for Wyoming Valley West in the first half.

Thalia Irizarry hit two 3-pointers in the third quarter and finished with 10 points.

Wyoming Valley West finished 16-9.

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