Cat attack: Avonworth’s Catherine Costa fights off a pride of Panthers as the girls’ basketball team began competition at the state level Tuesday night. the PIAA playoffs continue tonight as the Lady ’Lopes take on a tough Marion Center team at Central Cambria High School. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

With a long lay-off before the start of the PIAA playoffs, it was hard to determine how the Avonworth girls’ basketball team would respond when the Lady ‘Lopes hosted the Northern Bedford Panthers in a preliminary round game this past Tuesday.

After a slow start, the 'Lopes secured a modest lead and then had to fend off a charging Panther team in the fourth quarter to nail down a 51-46 victory.

"It's getting tough," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

Avonworth was led by Lauren Mayernik, who scored 19 points along with 10 rebounds to record another double-double on the season.

Lauren and Mackenzie Mayernik each scored baskets to give the Lady ‘Lopes an early 4-2 lead in the first quarter. Northern Bedford responded with a 9-0 run that included two 3-pointers to take an 11-4 lead near the midpoint of the period.

A 3-pointer by Laura Presutti sent Avonworth on a 6-2 run that included a jumper by M. Mayernik from the top of the key and a free throw by Catherine Costa that had the Lady ‘Lopes behind 13-10 when the quarter ended.

"We came out lackadaisical in the first quarter, which I expected after the long lay-off," said Schulz.

The 'Lopes, who started the game in their base 1-3-1 zone defense, switched things up in the second quarter.

"We moved into our 2-2-1 trap and it worked," Schulz said.

That's because the Lady ‘Lopes forced 11 Panther turnovers, most of which were converted into points to give Avonworth a decent lead.

L. Mayernik's 11 points, along with baskets by M. Mayernik and Erin Zakor and a pair of free throws by Costa, came in the second period, where Avonworth outscored Northern Bedford 17-3 to lead at the half 27-16.

The game’s lowest point production came in the third quarter, where the 'Lopes maintained a 1point edge.

Zakor's 4 points, along with 3 points by L. Mayernik and a basket by Costa, gave Avonworth a 9-8 advantage and a 36-24 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Lady ‘Lopes started the fourth quarter with a 6-1 run that included L. Mayernik's score inside and transition baskets by Costa and Natalie Zivic to lead by 17 points at 42-25.

Just when you thought victory was assured, the Panthers got hot from the perimeter and began to mount a comeback. Northern Bedford went on a 16-2 run that included four 3-pointers and cut Avonworth's lead to 44-41 with 1:54 remaining.

The Panthers weren't able to get any closer.

Avonworth took advantage of Northern Bedford's situation of having to foul and finished 7-8 from the line, including 6-6 by Costa, down the stretch to procure the 51-46 victory.

Schulz noted that the Panthers had missed six free throws in the fourth quarter, but acknowledged the team's resilience with 10 3-pointers on the night when he said, "I give them all the credit in the world -- that team can flat out shoot."

Along with Mayernik's 19 points were Costa with 13, Zakor with 8, M. Mayernik 6, Presutti 3 and Zivic 2.

Avonworth(20-4), will play Marion Center (24-1), in the first round at Central Cambria High School today at 6:30 p.m.