WPIAL Playoffs: Shenango girls to meet Washington
Feb 12, 2015
By Andrew Koob
New Castle News

The Shenango High girls basketball team will be dealing with a frustrated Washington team Friday night.

Washington, the Section 4-AA champion, was not happy with its placement in the WPIAL Class AA playoff bracket as the only section champion scheduled to play in a preliminary-round game.

The two sides will play at 6:30 p.m. at at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High.

“I’m sure they are going to be fired up,” Shenango coach Brian Turk said. “Being the number one team in their section, I’m sure they weren’t expecting to play in. If you look at all the sections, there were a lot of ties in sections and there are a lot of good teams with past history that the WPIAL looked at. They can only give so many byes in the first round. It’s tough to give everybody a bye and I can see them being upset.

“They can be upset, or they can be really happy being the number one playing the four out of our section. Bottom line, they’re all playoff games. You have to win to get to the next one. All 21 teams are good teams and that’s why we’re there. We have to do our job and I’m sure they’re thinking the same thing.”

Washington coach Mike Maltony echoed the same sentiment, saying that his girls were less than happy with their placement. The Lady Prexies coach says he has been driving the point home, using it as a rallying cry heading into tomorrow’s game.

“The girls were a little upset about it,” Maltony said. “It’s a crapshoot, but you try different scenarios and everything like that. Everyone from our section is playing a play-in game, which means our section didn’t get a whole lot of credit. Our girls were looking for a higher seed and a little different opponent. But we have to go play whoever, it doesn’t matter.”

Shenango (6-6 Section 1-AA, 12-9 overall) will try to control the tempo of the game and slow the pace. That’s in part because of what Washington brings to the table: Four players who are guard/forwards and can rebound and push the ball.

The main concern will be junior Tajah Gordon-Haley, who averages double-digit points per game. Stopping the 5-foot-9 guard/forward, along with senior guard Taylor Ellis, will be at the forefront of the Lady Wildcats’ game plan.

“They’re a first place team, so they’re a pretty decent team,” Turk said. “We just have to pay attention and keep possession as much as possible. (Gordon-Haley) can get up the court, play either position. Possession will be important, we have to make sure we get the rebounds and cut down on their second and third possessions.”

The Lady Prexies (10-2, 13-9) hold a slight size advantage over Shenango, with three players standing 5-foot-7 or higher. Shenango counters with two girls, 5-foot-7 Samantha Seaburn and 5-foot-10 Jacqui Baker, of equal or more height.

“I have some good players on the inside that I think can do a good job if they play the way they should be,” Maltony said. “I think we have a height advantage on our side. As far as the guards, we’re pretty even height-wise. But their guards are scrappier.”

Both sides are on the same level when it comes to holding opposing offenses in check. The Lady Prexies allowed opponents to score 40.8 points per game, while Shenango follows closely with a 41 ppg. mark.

The Lady Wildcats, however, have an advantage in scoring offense, averaging 44 points per game to Washington’s 39.8.

Seaburn leads Shenango with 11.4 points per game, followed by Carolyn Peterson at 9.8 points and Angelina Sibeto at 9.4 markers.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty balanced game no matter who we play,” Turk said. “It’s tough, girls basketball is better than its ever been. Class AA is tough and it’s an exciting time for everybody to be in.”
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