Resurgent Franklin Regional girls stay in playoff chase to the end

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Franklin Regional picked up a big 45-42 win over Penn Hills on Jan. 26 to stay afloat in the WPIAL Class 5A playoff race.

But the Panthers weren’t finished.

With senior point guard Angelina Brush back and healthy, they dispatched of Kiski Area, 53-38, to move to 5-5 in Section 1-5A (6-13 overall) and take over fourth place by a half-game over Penn Hills.

That Franklin Regional had a shot at the playoffs after a 1-9 start shows the team’s improvement and the benefit of getting Brush back on the floor.

“It’s nice to be in the playoff hunt this year,” Franklin Regional coach Bernie Pucka said. “We’ve played our share of tough nonsection opponents with the hope that they would make us better for our section rivals, and I believe that’s the case.”

The top four teams (and ties) make the playoffs. Plum and Indiana are the top two teams in the section.

In the Penn Hills win, senior Olivia Orndoff had 16 points, junior Madison DeRiggi added 12 and 6-foot junior Toryn Fulton chipped in 10.

Orndoff continued her strong play of late with a game- and career-high 27 points as Franklin Regional (5-13) defeated Belle Vernon, 46-33, in the Shootout at Seton Hill.

In the Kiski Area win, Brush and senior forward Gabby Keough had 14 points each.

Brush tore her ACL during AAU season in April and recently was cleared to return. The Westminster commit and two-year starter had surgery in May.

“She started back with a strict minute restriction, but as her play continues, those restrictions are loosening,” Pucka said.

Orndoff is having a breakthrough season for the Panthers.

“Olivia Orndoff is really taking off,” Pucka said. “Her athleticism is amazing, and she’s getting to the rim better than she ever has before.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional