By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team saw their season come to an end last Friday with a 55-42 loss to Marion Center in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

After bouncing back from a huge deficit early in the game, the girls suppressed their chances at victory with poor shooting, especially in the second half.

"We made a nice comeback after the first quarter," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

Schulz added, "We shot the ball very poorly in the second half."

One of the other keys to the game was the Stingers’ advantage on the boards, where they out-rebounded the Lady ‘Lopes 36-25.

"We did not do a good job of rebounding and as a result they got second and third chances," Schulz said.

Avonworth's only lead came with a basket underneath by Lauren Mayernik on the 'Lopes' first possession of the game.

Marion Center took advantage of a couple of Avonworth turnovers and sharp shooting from the perimeter with three 3-pointers coming in a 14-0 run to put the Stingers ahead 14-2.

A free throw by Moriah Eck stopped the run, anda 3-pointer by Laura Presutti came next, followed by L. Mayernik's basket and a jumper by Erin Zakor that had the 'Lopes trailing 20-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded scores throughout the second quarter, where Catherine Costa took charge on offense with 8 points.

Marion Center still maintained a 10-point lead with 3:43 left in the quarter when Costa scored, driving to the hoop, but did not convert the free throw to complete the 3-point play.

Natalie Zivic followed with a 3-pointer that had Avonworth trailing 31-26, but the Stingers completed a 3-point play and added a pair of free throws to reclaim their 10-point lead.

Presutti made two from the stripe that sent the Lady ‘Lopes to the half trailing 36-28.

Avonworth played well defensively in the third quarter, but they were not able to take advantage on the offensive end.

L. Mayernik and Mackenzie Mayernik provided 5 points for the 'Lopes in the period where the team was only 1-12 shooting from the field.

Schulz said, "We held them at bay, but the key was we missed some lay-ups in the third quarter."

Marion Center matched Avonworth's points with 5 of their own as the 'Lopes trailed 41-33 going into the fourth quarter.

L. Mayernik had two buckets in the fourth quarter, but to that point Avonworth was 2-10 from the field and trailed 49-37 with 3:35 remaining.

The Stingers had a 6-0 run before Costa added a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer at the end to put the final score at 55-42.

"I think we were physically tired all season -- we were worn down," Schulz said.

He finished by saying, "We did a good job on the season. The kids hustled and worked hard and I think we overachieved somewhat this season."

L. Mayernik finished with 16 points, followed by Costa with 13, Presutti 5, Zivic 3, M. Mayernik and Zakor with 2 each, and Eck with 1 point.