By JIM RUMBLE

Having to play a pivotal section game on the road was tough enough for the Avonworth girls’ basketball team, but the Lady ‘Lopes also had to take on Quaker Valley Monday night without head coach Bob Schulz,who had a bout with the flu.

All seemed fine for the Lady ‘Lopes until a 16-point lead in the third quarter disintegrated on the way to a 48-45 loss to the Quakers.

We're young and we're still trying to learn how to keep our composure in tight situations," said assistant coach Leah Uhernik

By JIM RUMBLE

Monday's rivalry game between the Avonworth and Northgate girls basketball teams was cause enough for some excitement when the two local teams got together for their first section meeting on the Flames’ home court. Any thoughts of an upset though by the Flames over the Lady ‘Lopes, however, vanished early on as Avonworth rolled past Northgate 62-13.

Avonworth coach Bob Schulz praised his team for their play, especially on the defensive end where they forced bad shots and created an abundance of turnovers.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Heavy defensive coverage by Sto Rox could not slow down Avonworth star center Tara Gallupe, who torched the Vikings for 31 points in the ‘Lopes down to the wire victory last week. Pictured here, Gallupe gets support from teammate Lauren Mayernik.

Avonworth's Lauren Mayernik goes up for a rebound in the Lady 'Lopes' 74-13 win over Freedom on Monday.

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.”

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.