Lady Scots roll into semifinals with 54-23 victory
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
Southmoreland鈥檚 Kaylee Doppelheuer (5) releases the ball for a layup during the third quarter of Friday鈥檚 WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game against Mount Pleasant at Southmoreland.
Jim Downey | 缅北禁地
Mount Pleasant鈥檚 Tiffany Zelmore (42) drives the baseline past Southmoreland鈥檚 Kaylee Doppelheuer during the first quarter of Friday鈥檚 WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
Southmoreland's Maddie Moore (32) powers to the basket between Mount Pleasant defenders during the third quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
Mount Pleasant's Alli Bailey takes the charge against Southmoreland's Olivia Cernuto (10) during the third quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
Southmoreland's Elle Pawlikowsky (13) comes away with the ball along the baseline under her basket in the first quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game against Mount Pleasant at Southmoreland.
Southmoreland's Olivia Cernuto (10) and Mount Pleasant's Alli Bailey fight for a loose ball in the first quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
Mount Pleasant's Lexi Stanek (14) pulls up in the lane to shoot over Southmoreland's Maddie Moore (32) and Kaylee Doppelheuer (5) in the second quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
Mount Pleasant's Hannah Gesinski shoots an uncontested layup during the second quarter of Friday's WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Southmoreland.
ALVERTON 鈥� Southmoreland鈥檚 Olivia Cernuto scored off the opening tip and the Lady Scots never trailed for a 54-23 home victory over rival Mount Pleasant Friday night in the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinals.
Southmoreland (16-4) advances to the semifinals Tuesday against second-seeded Quaker Valley. Quaker Valley defeated Montour, 68-39.
The quick start was just what Southmoreland coach Amber Weimer Cernuto was looking to do.
鈥淲e were hoping to jump on them soon. That was our game plan, to jump out quick and don鈥檛 let go,鈥� said Weimer Cernuto. 鈥淭his group likes to push and be aggressive on defense. We were able to do that, flow with that and go with that.鈥�
The Lady Scots鈥� pressure held the Mount Pleasant offense in check.
鈥淲e wanted to take Tiffany (Zelmore) out of the game as much as possible,鈥� said Weimer Cernuto.
The attack worked with Zelmore scoring just five points through the first three quarters.
鈥淭here were times in the first quarter, for whatever reason, we missed some layups,鈥� said Mount Pleasant coach Scott Giacobbi.
Southmoreland, the No. 3 seed, led 19-8 after the first quarter and carried the momentum into the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Vikings, 11-6, for a 30-14 halftime lead.
Giacobbi felt his squad had an envelope to get back into the game in the second quarter, but the opportunity slipped away.
鈥淲e closed it to 11 or 12 points. I felt the opportunity was there. We could sniff around 10 points or single digits, and it would be a different ball game,鈥� said Giacobbi.
Southmoreland hit the offensive boards well and limited Mount Pleasant opportunities for second-chance points on their defensive end.
鈥淲hen we can鈥檛 rebound, we can鈥檛 run. They controlled the glass,鈥� said Giacobbi. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 rebound, we can鈥檛 win.鈥�
鈥淭hey have big rebounders. We wanted to make sure to box them out and get the rebounds,鈥� said Weimer Cernuto.
The Lady Scots put the game away in the third quarter by outscoring Mount Pleasant, 18-0, and invoking the Mercy Rule for the fourth quarter.
The Lady Vikings (11-8) finally broke the ice in the second half when Zelmore hit a pair of free throws with 5:15 left in the game. Zelmore scored all nine of Mount Pleasant鈥檚 fourth quarter points to finish with 14.
The Lady Scots鈥� trio of Maddie Moore, Olivia Cernuto and Gracie Spadaro were tough to handle for the Lady Vikings鈥� defense. The three combined for 43 points, led by Moore鈥檚 game-high 17 points. Cernuto finished with 15 and Spadaro added 11.
Giacobbi noted the Lady Scots were tough to play at home, especially with a crowd in the stands.
鈥淭hey played with a lot of poise and confidence. They play well on this floor,鈥� said Giacobbi. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a great team. They鈥檒l be successful.鈥�
Weimer Cernuto made mention of the fans in the stands.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to have a crowd again. This size crowd was fantastic,鈥� said Weimer Cernuto.
Weimer Cernuto was happy with the win, but said her squad still has work to do.
鈥淲e are still working on our defense. We need a little more communication. We want no weak spots on the floor,鈥� explained Weimer Cernuto.