Content about Tara Gallupe

04.16.10

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.

03.05.10

Lady ‘Lopes upset in semifinals

By JIM RUMBLE

It seemed as though neither team wanted to win when the Avonworth girls’ basketball team met Seton LaSalle in a WPIAL semifinal game played at North Allegheny on Tuesday.

The top-seeded 'Lopes picked a bad time to turn in what was their most defective performance of the year, as they were knocked off by the fourth-seeded Rebels 41-30.

"I think we played great defensively," said coach Bob Schulz after the game. "Offensively, shots weren't dropping and we couldn't get our two top scorers going."

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."

02.19.10

Lady ‘Lopes win section title

By JIM RUMBLE

As is customary every year at this time, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team is headed to the WPIAL playoffs.

The 'Lopes (20-1) are the champions of section 6AA and the top-seed in class AA. They are scheduled to play Tuesday, Feb. 23, in a first round game against the winner of the preliminary round game that matches Riverview and West Shamokin on Saturday, Feb. 20. The site and time are yet to be determined.

The ‘Lopes, who picked up three wins over the last week to complete the regular season, seem confident heading in.

02.12.10

Lady ‘Lopes near section title with win over Sto

By JIM RUMBLE

In a game that may have decided the champion of section 6AA, the Avonworth girls’ basketball team went down to the wire to pull out a 51-50 win at home against section rival Sto Rox last Thursday.

The 'Lopes got an unprecedented effort from Tara Gallupe, who finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, and were able to withstand a bombardment of offense from the Vikings’ perimeter.

Although Sto Rox hit on 13 three-pointers in the game, Avonworth succeeded defensively in keeping the ball out of the hands of Dee Dee King, who was limited to one point in the contest.

02.12.10

Unstoppable

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.

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.

10.09.09

Gallupe signs with Walsh

Senior Avonworth basketball player Tara Gallupe signed a letter of intent last Monday to attend Walsh University in Canton, OH, where she will pursue a degree in bioinformatics while also playing for the Division II Cavaliers.

Tara has played both forward and center for Avonworth for the past four years under the guidance of former head coach Julie Tullar and current coach Bob Schulz.