By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
OLD FORGE – Jewlya McCullon led the way on both ends of the floor Tuesday night when Old Forge opened the District 2 Class 2A girls basketball playoffs by cruising to a 46-26 victory over visiting Forest City.
McCullon scored a team-high 13 points and came up with a game-high 9 steals while blocking 2 shots. She led the Lady Devils into Friday’s semifinal at Lackawanna Trail, which had a quarterfinal bye as the tournament’s second seed.
Talia Piragas added 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Lauryn Olivieri dished out five assists and made four steals.
Emily Matoushek scored 13 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and made 3 steals for Forest City, which lost all 22 games after a season-opening win. Haylee Herrmann grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.
Old Forge’s defense forced eight turnovers before allowing Forest City to get off a shot.
During that time the Lady Devils scored the game’s first eight points on a Leah Domiano 3-pointer, a McCullon steal and breakaway and a three-point play by Isabella Nee off another McCullon steal.
Domiano made corner 3-pointers on the first and last shots of the first quarter for a 16-4 lead.
Old Forge led 26-5 at halftime.
After Forest City scored the first four points of the second half, Old Forge broke away for good with a 10-1 run.
The last two baskets of that run were the first of four straight shots Piragas hit in the last 2:25 of the third quarter.
Old Forge improved to 10-12. Lackawanna Trail is 11-10.
