Pictured above: Jillian DelBalso
Angelina Corridoni’s layup with just over four seconds remaining Saturday afternoon broke a tie and lifted Holy Redeemer to a 39-37, District 2 Class 3A girls basketball semifinal victory in its latest meeting with host Lake-Lehman.
As Holy Redeemer worked for the final shot with game tied in the last half-minute, the Lady Royals got the ball to Mia Ashton at the high post three times. Then, point guard Jillian DelBalso dribbled left at the top of the key and zipped a pass to Corridoni, who had slipped behind the back row of the defense for the game-winner.
Lake-Lehman came out of a timeout with 3.3 seconds left and moved the ball up floor quickly. Brenna Hunt’s tip-in of a hurried 3-pointer was less than a second too late.
The win, the second by Holy Redeemer in five meetings with Lake-Lehman this season, clinched a Pennsylvania interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament berth for the Lady Royals. Third-seeded Holy Redeemer (17-10) advances to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza to play top-seeded Dunmore (21-3) March 4 at noon.
Lake-Lehman, the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 and overall champion on the strength of playoff wins over Lake-Lehman, still has a shot at claiming the district’s final spot in the state tournament. The Lady Knights (22-5) host Mid Valley (15-9) for third place in the district Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Holy Redeemer erased a 19-12 halftime deficit with a 15-5 third quarter.
The Lady Royals were ahead before the Lady Knights ran off seven straight points to move in front, 37-34, in the final two minutes.
DelBalso’s 3-pointer with 1:19 left tied the game going into the final minute.
Holy Redeemer limited Lake-Lehman to nine field goals, just five over the final three quarters.
Lake-Lehman was 17-for-27 from the line while Holy Redeemer was 5-for-8.
DelBalso scored a team-high 12 points. Meghan Albrecht added nine and Ashton had eight.
Hailey Kline led Lake-Lehman with 12 points while Ella Wilson had 11.
Lake-Lehman led 12-8 after one quarter, then held Holy Redeemer to four second-quarter points.
