Content about Catherine Costa

03.18.11

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."

03.11.11

Lady ’Lopes fend off Panthers in PIAA game

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.

03.04.11

Lady ’Lopes get pressed into quarterfinal loss

By JIM RUMBLE

It wasn't suppose to end like this. That's probably what a lot of people were thinking after the Avonworth girls’ basketball team's WPIAL quarterfinal game against Bishop Canevin at West Allegheny High School last Friday.

Having left their “A” game at home, the Lady ‘Lopes committed 34 turnovers and had a horrendous night shooting the ball as they were subdued by the Crusaders 53-31.

"We didn't handle their press -- we didn't get to the spots that we needed to like we had prepared," said Coach Bob Schulz after the game.

02.25.11

Avonworth girls ground Eagles

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.

02.18.11

Lady ’Lopes head for WPIAL playoffs

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team traveled to crosstown rival Northgate last Thursday, intending to take the section title outright with a win over the Flames. Although Northgate battled to remain within striking distance through the third quarter, the Lady ‘Lopes would not be denied, as they defeated the Flames 50-28.

The 'Lopes will begin the WPIAL playoffs with a first round game on Tuesday, Feb. 22. They will play the winner of the Keystone Oaks - New Brighton preliminary round game with the time and site yet to be determined.

02.11.11

Lady ’Lopes rebound with big win over ’Dogs

By JIM RUMBLE

For most people, their disappointment came last Sunday with a Steelers loss. But for the Avonworth girls’ basketball team, theirs came last Thursday when the 'Lopes were defeated at Sto-Rox 53-44.

After suffering their first section loss this season, the girls bounced back on senior night with a section win at home against Freedom this past Monday, 81-34, and clinched at least a tie for the section title.

The Lady ‘Lopes were scheduled to finish section play yesterday with a game at Northgate with the results not available at press time.

02.04.11

’Lopes add wins as regular season winds down

By JIM RUMBLE

Turning to the final weeks of the regular season, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team has already clinched a spot for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs and appears to be the odds-on favorite to be crowned the champion of section 6AA.

The Lady ‘Lopes (16-1, 9-0) secured their spot with a 34-20 win at OLSH on Thursday, Jan. 27, and followed with another critical win this past Monday, defeating Quaker Valley at home 65-48.

In their win against OLSH, coach Bob Schulz pointed to his team's play defensively as the most significant element in the outcome.

01.28.11

Avonworth girls take out South Side Beaver

By JIM RUMBLE

It was business as usual for the Avonworth girls’ basketball team as they remained undefeated in section play with a 60-23 win at home against South Side Beaver this past Monday.

The Lady ‘Lopes, who are allowing the fewest points defensively in the WPIAL at 26.5 per game, continue to shut down their opponents’ top guns as they have held several lead scorers on the opposition to zero points.

"Their best scorer had no points tonight," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

01.22.11

Lady ‘Lopes add Flames to win list

By JIM RUMBLE

While the Avonworth girls basketball team added three more wins to their season over the past week, the game that was of interest to most local fans was when they hosted the Northgate Flames on Monday, Jan. 17.

Led by Lauren Mayernik's 22 points, the Lady ‘Lopes cruised to an easy win over the Flames 59-22.

What was also noteworthy was the play of forward Natalie Zivic, who stepped up big with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.

01.07.11

Lady ’Lopes beat OLSH in overtime

By JIM RUMBLE

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." That quote may pertain to the Avonworth girls’ basketball team when they hosted section rival OLSH on Monday, Jan. 3.

The 'Lopes, who struggled offensively from the field throughout most of the game, worked hard through a fourth quarter deficit before hitting on an off-balance shot at the buzzer to get into overtime.

The Lady ‘Lopes were able to take over from there, defeating the Chargers 40-36.

"We had a tough game tonight, " said head coach Bob Schulz.

12.17.10

Lady ‘Lopes open with wins

By JIM RUMBLE

Although it may be too early to tell how good this team will be, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team is off to a great start. The Lady ‘Lopes won the Brentwood tournament last weekend before defeating Belle Vernon at home on Wednesday 52-25.

"We played well on defense tonight," said coach Bob Schulz after the Belle Vernon game.

Led by Lauren Mayernik's 21 points, the 'Lopes jumped right out of the gate, shooting 10 of 14 in the first quarter on their way to a huge lead.

"We did a great job of man-to-man defense and our offense was on fire," Schulz said.

04.16.10

Players, coach honored

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team landed two players on the all-section first team.

Senior center Tara Gallupe and junior guard Catherine Costa were selected, while sophomore forward Lauren Mayernik was an honorable mention.

Gallupe also was selected as the MVP of the section, while coach Bob Schulz was picked as the coach of the year in section 6AA.

All selections were made by coaches within the section.

03.26.10

Lady ’Lopes stopped by top-ranked opponent

By JIM RUMBLE

It's pretty well known in sports that the further you move along in the playoff process the tougher the competition.

That was what the Avonworth girls’ basketball team came to realize when they squared off with defending PIAA champion and currently ranked #1 team in the state, Villa Maria, in a semifinal game played at Meadville high school this past Tuesday.

The 'Lopes, an accomplished team themselves, faced their most talented opponent this season and fell to the Victors 65-38.

"We just ran into a buzz saw," said coach Bob Schulz after the game.

03.19.10

Lady ’Lopes take out WPIAL champ to advance in PIAA

By JIM RUMBLE

Heading into this past Tuesday's PIAA second round game, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team seemed to have their work cut out for themselves when they faced WPIAL class AA champion Jeannette at Hempfield High School.

After battling the Jayhawks for three quarters, and trailing by five points going into the final period, the 'Lopes put together a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter that sent them on their way to an impressive come-from-behind win, 62-51.

"It was a great team effort, especially in the fourth quarter," said head coach Bob Schulz after the game.

02.26.10

Lady ‘Lopes’ defense destroys Shamokin

By JIM RUMBLE

In their WPIAL first round game played this past Tuesday at Fox Chapel, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team relied on their tough play defensively to keep West Shamokin off balance and win easily, 62-30.

The Lady ‘Lopes forced the Wolves into a dreadful 10-of-44 shooting the ball while forcing 17 turnovers.

"We had the perfect defense for them,” said head coach Bob Schulz. “They're a very deliberate team and we wanted to press them into playing an up-tempo game." He then stated,"They didn't get a lot of good looks."

01.29.10

Avonworth girls pick up two easy wins on court

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team dealt with the soft spot in their schedule, adding two easy victories to remain undefeated at 15-0 on the season.

On Thursday, Jan. 21, the top ranked 'Lopes traveled to South Side Beaver and disposed of the Rams 67-25.

On Monday, Jan. 25, Avonworth hosted Freedom and obliterated the Bulldogs 74-13.

01.22.10

Avonworth girls beat Northgate 65-40

By JIM RUMBLE

Of the three victories that the Avonworth girls’ basketball team picked up last week, the game of most interest to local fans was this past Tuesday, when the Lady ‘Lopes hosted the Northgate Flames.

Led by Tara Gallupe, who was unstoppable inside, and a transition game that was overpowering at times, the ‘Lopes cruised past the Flames 65-40.

“What really helped us was our fast break tonight,” Avonworth coach Bob Schulz said. “We got the ball off the boards and moved real well.”

01.15.10

New defense saves Lady ‘Lopes

By JIM RUMBLE

In a battle between top ranked teams in AA and section foes, the Avonworth girls basketball team implemented a new defensive scheme to frustrate Sto Rox as the Lady ’Lopes outlasted the Vikings 37-35 on Monday.

The win put the ‘Lopes (10-0), in a tie atop Section 6AA with Aliquippa at 3-0 and a game ahead of the Vikings.

“The kids played phenomenal defense tonight,” said coach Bob Schulz. “We put in a new defense tonight - something totally different from anything we’ve ever done.”

01.08.10

Lady ‘Lopes remain unbeaten at 9-0

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team headed into the holiday season undefeated and came out unscathed, picking up six wins to up their record to 9-0.

On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the 'Lopes hosted AAA Highlands and withstood a late charge by the Golden Rams to pull out a 46-38 win in what was probably their toughest match-up to this point in the season.

Led by Tara Gallupe's 28 points and 17 rebounds, Avonworth had to overcome 18 turnovers and missed shots from inside, but managed to lead until the fourth quarter.

12.18.09

Lady ‘Lopes off to hot start with tourney win

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team is off to a terrific start, capturing three wins over the past week.

Last Friday the Lady 'Lopes defeated Belle Vernon in the first round of the Brentwood tournament 55-39. They followed that with a win in the championship game against Brentwood 59-38.

The 'Lopes also played a non-section game on Tuesday, Dec.15, at home against Knoch, and won handily 57-25.