No looking back: A flock of Golden Eagles did not intimidate Avonworth’s Catherine Costa as the Lady ‘Lopes began their playoff journey against Keystone Oaks Wednesday night. With Laura Presutti (No. 25) ready and waiting, Costa and her teammates kept the ball moving and the score climbing en route to tonight’s quarterfinal match-up against Bishop Canevin.

By JIM RUMBLE

Going into the first round WPIAL playoff game against Keystone Oaks this past Wednesday, Avonworth girls’ basketball head coach Bob Schulz expressed some apprehension about the team he would have to face.

"I'm quite concerned with this match-up” he said. “I think they're better than a 12 seed in the tournament."

Well all of that uneasiness must have dissipated as the game wore on, as the Lady ‘Lopes, seeded #5, dominated in their win against the Golden Eagles, 56-31.

One element that worried Schulz was the offensive threat of the Golden Eagles' guards. "Their shooters tonight scared the heck out of me."

It turned out that there was little cause for anxiety, as Keystone Oaks was only 4-of-24 from the field through the first three quarters.

"We did a nice job on their shooters, Schulz said. “We still played in our zone, but came out further on them."

Considering that the Lady ‘Lopes had not played a meaningful game in over a week, the girls came out poised while moving to a big lead in the first quarter.
The 'Lopes forced six turnovers defensively, while on offense Lauren Mayernik scored 9 of her game-high 20 points.

Mackenzie Mayernik, who ruled the defensive boards in the period, added a jumper from the right side which, along with Erin Zakor's game-opening basket, gave Avonworth a 13-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The 'Lopes had a good balance on offense in the second quarter, where they were able to increase their lead.

Catherine Costa's basket from underneath sent the 'Lopes on a 7-1 run that included an NBA style 3-pointer by Laura Presutti and a basket by Natalie Zivic from the left corner to go ahead 20-3 with 3:27 remaining in the period.

Keystone Oaks hit on a 3-pointer, but Costa's 3-pointer, L. Mayernik's basket in the lane and a transition basket by Costa put the Lady ‘Lopes in front 27-6.
The Golden Eagles added two more threes to finish 3- of-8 from the field, while M. Mayernik added a 10 -foot jumper that gave Avonworth a 29-12 lead at the half. The 'Lopes were 7-of-14 from the field in the second quarter.

Avonworth stepped up their play on the defensive end in the third quarter, where they limited Keystone Oaks to only one free throw.

Costa's two 3-pointers, 4 points each by the Mayernik sisters and baskets by Zakor and Presutti allowed the Lady ‘Lopes to outscore the Golden Eagles 18-1 and lead comfortably, 47-13, going into the fourth quarter.

With the outcome pretty much at hand, Avonworth began removing starters from the floor in the final quarter, where they added 9 points on their way to the 56-31 victory.

"We played great team defense," Schulz said. "Every girl that played tonight played well and contributed to what we did."

L. Mayernik had 12 rebounds to go with her 20 points, followed by Costa's 13 points, and M. Mayernik finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Presutti had 7 points, Zakor 4 and Zivic 2.

The Lady ‘Lopes (20-3), are slated to play #4 seed Bishop Canevin (19-4), in a quarterfinal game at West Allegheny high school today at 6:30 p.m.