Greensburg Central Catholic girls get long-awaited rematch with Kennedy Catholic

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, March 17, 2024 | 5:44 PM

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A red light turned to green when the buzzer sounded Friday night at Forest Hills. It finally was all right for Greensburg Central Catholic to talk about Kennedy Catholic.

The Centurions girls basketball team had waited almost a year for a PIAA rematch, and they got it when they beat Everett, 56-26, and Kennedy Catholic thumped Bishop McCort, 60-35, in the quarterfinals.

“Definitely, we were unhappy losing to them,” GCC coach Chris Skatell said. “We thought we played with them. They’re a talented group, just as talented if not more (than last year). Our girls have done a nice job staying in the moment and dealing with what’s in front of them.

“You still have to win games to get there.”

The teams’ second straight PIAA Class 2A semifinal matchup will be 6 p.m. Monday at North Allegheny.

GCC (23-6), the WPIAL champion, hasn’t won a state title since 1997, and Kennedy Catholic (23-4) is the defending champion. The winner will play for a state title at noon Thursday at Hershey’s Giant Center.

Minersville (25-4) and Marion Center (23-6) will play in the other semifinal.

GCC scored 39 second-half points to blow past Everett. Most of the Centurions’ playoff games have been blowouts. This one could be their tightest game yet.

“It’s a hard grind to get here,” Skatell said. “We’re super-excited to play them again.”

The Golden Eagles also appreciate what could be a stern test. They certainly are not selling GCC short in what is talent-loaded western final.

Sophomore Erica Gribble had 20 points in Friday’s win, senior Mya Morgan scored 15 and senior Avery Davis had 13. Sophomore forward Abby Dlugos grabbed 13 rebounds for GCC.

“They’re a great team, and they have experience back,” Kennedy Catholic coach Justin Magestro said. “They’re a year older, and they have seniors on the team. We have no seniors. (GCC) has a high basketball IQ. They’re fundamentally sound, and they play hard.”

Like any team built to win state titles, Kennedy Catholic has inside-outside balance, but junior 6-foot forward Layke Fields makes the Golden Eagles go. Fields had 28 points and 14 rebounds — her 43rd career double-double — in Friday’s win.

Fields has 1,448 career points.

“She’s that type of player,” Skatell said. “Multiple players must take on the challenge of guarding her. The question is, are you willing? We need everybody to help out. It’s not like we’re going to say, ‘Hey, Mya, you got her all night.’ ”

Mo Vincent added 19 points, making five 3-pointers in the quarters. Bella Magestro, the coach’s daughter, is another key player.

“It’s going to take a team effort, but we have to defend everyone,” Skatell said. “Their guards are good, too. It’s not like, if we hold Layke to 20, we’re winning.”

Fields had 22 points and 12 rebounds against GCC in last year’s final four.

“(Fields) is unstoppable,” coach Magestro said. “Our goal is to get her the ball. And, just as important, our guards get her the ball. As far as I am concerned, we have some of the best passing guards in the state, and (Layke) plays off our guards.”

Kennedy Catholic, looking for its third straight trip to Hershey, shared the ball effectively in the quarters, rounding up 19 assists on 24 field goals.

The Golden Eagles’ defense has been sinister at times.

“We preach defense,” coach Magestro said. “We feel if we can defend, some nights the hoop looks really big offensively and the ball goes in. Sometimes it doesn’t. But, if you can consistently play great defense, you have an opportunity to be in every game.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.