Royals Flush Trojans for 4th Straight WPIAL Girls A Title

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, February 28, 2015 | 1:52 PM

The Vincentian girls’ basketball dynasty continues.

For the fourth straight year and the fifth time in six years the Royals wear the Class A crown after claiming yet another title. As has been the custom, this came in impressive fashion with a 74-35 victory over Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at the Petersen Events Center. It was the Royals ninth championship in the school’s history.

The outcome was rarely in doubt as top-seeded Vincentian stormed out to a 27-6 lead after the first quarter. The large cushion was keyed by a ferocious full-court press defense that forced Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic into numerous turnovers. Those turnovers led to a number of easy baskets for Vincentian.

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic did trim the lead a bit by outscoring Vincentian 15-11 in the second quarter. But Vincentian had a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Trojanettes 28-10.

The game also proved to be a showcase for Vincentian senior Brenna Wise. The senior paced the Royals with 35 points, 13 of which came in the first quarter, with 16 more coming in the third quarter. Wise spent some time on the bench in the second quarter with two fouls. She also collected numerous rebounds.

Also adding to this being a showcase for the 6 foot, 1 inch post player was the fact the game took place at what will be her home court for the next four years. By the way, University of Pittsburgh Coach Suzie McConnell-Serio was in attendance along with members of the current Lady Panthers basketball team. How did it feel to have such a performance in front of her future coach and teammates? “Special,” Wise said, adding it meant so much that the Pitt program showed s much faith in her.

Maia Joiner chipped in with 13 points for Vincentian, which will enter the PIAA tournament as the top seed from the WPIAL and will try to defend its state title. That quest begins next Saturday against the Shade-Southern Fulton winner, that game determines the District 5 third place team. Alexiss Griggs added eight points and a lot of intensity on defense and on the boards.

Both Wise and Coach Ron Moncrief said the WPIAL title was going to be celebrated for a day or two, but then it was back to work.

No. 2 seed Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic was paced by sophomore Samantha Breen with 11 points. The Trojanettes will enter the PIAA playoffs as the number two seed in the PIAA tournament. CWNC will meet the Kennedy Catholic-Cochranton loser, they play for the District 10 title late this afternoon.