Senior duo helps young players, leads Riverview girls to another playoff season

By: Brennan Valladares
Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Riverview girls basketball team had made the WPIAL playoffs seven straight years heading into the 2024-25 season, tied for the longest streak in the A-K Valley. After making the jump to Class 2A, the Raiders were looking to make it eight straight postseason appearances.

Through the first eight games, the circumstances were set for the team to fall short of its goal. Injuries and other absences left Riverview with only six available players at times.

“At the beginning, it was rough at times where we would have the five and maybe one on the bench,” Riverview coach Jill Catanzaro said.

While the early-season circumstances might have been “rough,” the results weren’t. The Raiders opened the campaign with a 6-2 record (2-0 in section play) and were tied for the No. 1 spot in Section 4-2A.

“We were small in numbers, but it’s amazing how much you can accomplish if no one cares who gets the credit,” Catanzaro said. “Everyone played their role, no matter how small or great it was, to get the job done.”

The two seniors on the team — Katerina Tsambis and Lily Bauer — were not only two of the leading scorers but were also pivotal in handling the early-season challenges. Catanzaro knew the returning starters were up for the challenge.

“Seniors Katerina Tsambis and Lily Bauer were four-year starters and were well seasoned to contribute to the team’s success this season,” Catanzaro said. “With the help of the senior leadership, everyone (had) settled into their roles from the start and (understood) what we (needed) to do.”

From Dec. 10 through Jan. 10, the Raiders rattled off six straight wins, remaining undefeated in the section. Then came their first section loss to Winchester Thurston, the eventual No. 3 seed in the WPIAL playoffs.

After a five-day break following the loss, Riverview ran off six straight wins again, closing the season with a 7-1 section record. The Raiders, who earned the No. 7 seed in Class 2A, were once again in the playoffs. Their first-round matchup was No. 10 seed Rochester.

Halfway through the third quarter of that opening-round playoff game, Riverview held a 15-point lead courtesy of a jumper by Isabel Chaparro. The junior guard was having a phenomenal game, with 23 points by the end of the third.

Her performance would be overshadowed though, as Rochester outscored Riverview 31-12 over the final 12 minutes to complete the 57-53 comeback.

“Still recovering from the heartbreaking loss for sure,” Catanzaro said. “As a coach, a million things get played over and over in your mind. ‘What could we have done different? Maybe switch defense knowing we were in foul trouble?’ … (In) the second half, Rochester took full advantage of our foul trouble. We had opportunities of good shot selections in the fourth that just wouldn’t drop for us.”

After being eliminated, Catanzaro applauded her two departing seniors and complimented their impact on the younger players.

“From the beginning to the end of this whole season, the two seniors knew what they needed to do to lead this team,” she said. “They hung in there and gave it all they could. They helped a lot of the younger players along and helped raise their potential to where we had a really successful season.”

Chaparro was one of those younger players. She finished the season second in scoring, averaging 16.9 points per game. Her career-best 25 came in the loss to Rochester.

“We also need to attribute our success to Isabel Chaparro,” said Catanzaro. “Even though we lost in the playoffs, she stepped her game up in the playoffs, hitting her personal best.”

Riverview ended the season 14-5 (8-2). That fifth loss stings now, but Catanzaro has a philosophy she believes in. She says a “loss” is an acronym that stands for “Learning opportunity. Stay strong.”

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