Neumann-Goretti completes comeback against Lansdale Catholic in final seconds of PIAA Class 4A championship
You knew this was going to be a good one.
Philadelphia Catholic League foes Neumann-Goretti and Lansdale Catholic met for the second time this season – this time, with everything on the line.
The Saints had bested LC in their regular season matchup, winning 58-54 in early January. Since then, the Saints had gone on to win the PCL, going undefeated in the league. The Crusaders, meanwhile, had been putting on absolute clinic in the PIAA playoffs, outscoring their opponents 234-119 in the first four rounds.
With star players on both teams, the PIAA Class 4A girls basketball championship game had all the makings of an instant classic.
And that it was. After the first quarter, it looked like this might be another blowout win for the Crusaders, who led 22-13 at the time. But the Saints clawed their way back into the game despite the Crusaders’ strong play.
And it came down to the very end. With 18 seconds to go, Neumann-Goretti’s Amya Scott made a steal and drove to the basket for the go-ahead score.
Neumann-Goretti’s 48-45 come-from-behind victory was its second since 2022. The Saints’ 11-year head coach, Andrea Peterson, has led the team to six state championship game appearances, winning all six.
For Lansdale Catholic, it was the team’s third state championship appearance in four years. The Crusaders won their first-ever state title in 2023, but fell just short of the PIAA playoffs last season. This year, the team excelled under new head coach Tom Lonergan, who won his 800th career game in the first week of the season.
Top Performances from Neumann-Goretti:
- Amya Scott: She led the Saints with 17 points and had 8 steals. Her steal and three-pointer with 18 seconds left was the game-winner.
- Carryn Easley: She tallied 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and gave the Saints their first lead of the game with her 3-pointer with 3:33 left.
- Reginna Baker: The sophomore had 11 points, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Top Performances from Lansdale Catholic:
