Lebanon Catholic captures first state title in 22 years

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) - Even an early, early deficit was not enough to prevent Lebanon Catholic from roaring back and taking control of its situation.

And while Patti Hower’s club needed to absorb a comeback bid in the second half, the Beavers side-stepped that effort and kept moving forward.

Today, thanks to a satisfying 55-43 victory over District 6 runner-up Juniata Valley, Lebanon Catholic continues to celebrate the Class A girls basketball championship it claimed Friday afternoon at Hershey’s Giant Center.

Friday’s victory ended a 22-season championship drought for Hower’s program, which last claimed state gold in 1995. Lebanon Catholic also won a state title in 1992.

Alexis Hill netted 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for Hower’s Beavers (25-7), who spotted Juniata Valley the first six points of the game before unloading a 20-1 outburst that had Lebanon Catholic up 20-7 late in the opening half.

Celine Mars added 14 points for the District 3 champions, while Neesha Pierre tacked on nine points and snared 12 rebounds.

Maddie Mattas scored 11 points and Halee Smith finished with 10 rebounds for Juniata Valley (24-6), which climbed within four points (25-21) early in the third quarter despite connecting on just 11.1 percent (3-for-27) of its first-half field goals.

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Lebanon Catholic 55, Juniata Valley 43

Juniata Valley (24-6) 43

Sydney Reed 2 3-4 9; Hayden Taylor 2 2-2 7; Taylor Leidy 3 0-0 7; Halee Smith 3 3-4 9; Maddie Mattas 4 3-3 11. Totals: 14 11-13 43.

3-point goals: Reed 2, Taylor, Leidy.

Did not score: Lexie Reed, Emily Jefferis.

Lebanon Catholic (25-7) 55

Neesha Pierre 2 5-7 9; Alexis Hill 7 6-8 20; Jasmine Turner 2 0-0 5; Jayden Shellehamer 1 1-2 3; Celine Mars 5 4-7 14; Hannah Callihan 0 4-8 4. Totals: 17 20-32 55.

3-point goals: Turner.

Did not score: None.

Score by quarters

Juniata Valley’7’3’11’22 - 43

Lebanon Catholic’13’7’11’24 - 55