South Fayette controls Hollidaysburg in PIAA quarterfinals, earns rematch with Peters Township

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 6:56 PM

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South Fayette girls basketball coach Bryan Bennett always has the future in mind. The Lions work on some concepts that may not be employed for months, if ever.

South Fayette showcased that Saturday during a 70-52 PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal against District 6 champion Hollidaysburg on Saturday at Armstrong High School.

While the Lions (27-2) were spectacular in transition, they slowed things down and ran two and a half minutes off the clock at the start of the fourth quarter.

“That’s the first time we’ve done that all year,” Bennett said. “We’ve had different things we’ve practiced and never had to show because of some of the outcomes. I’m pleased with the kids; it’s not easy to hold the ball, especially against a team that is as disciplined as Hollidaysburg.”

The Lions (27-2) will have an opportunity to avenge their loss in the WPIAL final in the next round. South Fayette will play Peters Township next Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

Hollidaysburg (25-4) got off to a rough start. The Golden Tigers were designated as the home team, but brought their away uniforms. Hollidaysburg was hit with a technical foul and South Fayette’s Haylie Lamonde made both shots to give the Lions a 2-0 lead before the ball was ever in play.

Hollidaysburg coach Deanna Jubeck said she didn’t think that impacted the game’s momentum.

“Something as small as that wasn’t going to dictate the outcome,” Jubeck said. “This group has been resilient all year long. We have a one-second rule, where kids have one second to make their mistake and get over it. We were over it prior to getting on the court.”

Bennett said he didn’t want Hollidaysburg to be punished because the Lions had brought both sets of jerseys with them.

“It was an advantage,” Bennett said. “I felt bad accepting it, but we had to.”

South Fayette moved the ball well during the first quarter. The Lions were able to do a good job stretching out Hollidaysburg in transition.

South Fayette had three players — Juliette Leroux (21 points), Lamonde (19) and Lailah Wright (11) — in double figures in the game.

The Lions led 19-8 at the end of the first and were ahead by eight at halftime.

“I thought in the first half, it was the most physical team we played,” Bennett said. “Their physicality impacted us.”

Makenna Weimert led the Golden Tigers with 15 points.

Hollidaysburg kept the deficit under 10 points for much of the second half, but couldn’t find enough possessions late to threaten the Lions in the final quarter.

“We were in good shape going into the fourth quarter,” Jubeck said. “They did what they had to do. They played more of a possession game where their hands were on the balls and ours weren’t. They were still pressing and trying to get easy baskets.”

Tags: South Fayette