Penn-Trafford Pulls Off Dramatic Comeback to Take Girls AAAA Crown

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 11:25 PM

In one of the greatest comebacks in championship history, the Penn-Trafford Warriors (20-6) outscored the Hempfield Spartans 26-5 in the final quarter to rally from a ten-point deficit to claim a 56-45 victory to claim their first WPIAL title. The Warriors went 16-of-21 from the line in the fourth quarter and held Hempfield (17-9) without a field goal as the Spartans went 0-10 in the final frame.

Emma Mull hit a three to tie the game at 43. Maria Palarino went coast-to-coast with a rebound to put the Warriors up 45-43. Penn-Trafford scored the final 11 points, all at the line, to claim the title.

Hempfield started the game on a 10-0 run and the Spartans led 13-5 after one. The Spartans hit six three-pointers in the first half. Monica Burns had 3 of the threes, but Penn-Trafford was still able to cut into the lead. Kaila Simcoviak nailed an 18-footer to cut the lead to 26-20 at the break.

It was all Hempfield to start the third period as Monica Burns rained home back-to-back threes to go up 36-24. Leah Knizner extended the lead, giving the Spartans the biggest lead of the night at 40-25. A Casey Aunkst trey made it a 10-point game. Palarino and Katy Abreu went six-of-six from the line to slice the lead to two, setting up Mull for the three pointer and the tie moments later.

Simcoviak took to the stripe late, going four-of-four in the clutch. Aunkst and Palerino both hit two free throws, securing the win for the Warriors.

Penn-Trafford was 14-of-35 from the field in the game. The 7th seed at the start of the tournament, the Warriors are now 20-6 and will meet North Allegheny in the first round of the PIAA tournament on Friday. Palarino led the Warriors with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Aunkst had 10 points, all in the second half. Mull and Abreu each scored 8, with Abreu snagging 7 rebounds as well. The Warriors only committed 5 turnovers in the game.

Hempfield finished 14-of-48 for the game and 8 of 23 from behind the arc. The Spartans are now 17-9 on the season. The 12th-seeded Spartans will take on City League champion Obama Academy on Friday. Monica Burns led the way with 19 points and 6 rebounds. The Spartans committed 14 turnovers, with five in the final quarter. Hempfield won the battle of the boards 33-25.

Score by Quarters:
Penn-Trafford Warriors  5 – 15 – 10 – 26  = 56
Hempfield Spartans 13 – 13 – 14 – 5 = 45