Brian Hagberg
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Warren “turned up the pressure a bit more” in the second half and limited Grove City to just six points to earn a 45-21 win in their District 10 Class 4A quarterfinal on Saturday.
In addition to the low second-half output, the Dragons’ defense limited the Eagle’s top two scorers, Piper Como (14.3 ppg) and Delaney Callahan (11.2 ppg) to a combined two points for the game.
“Super proud of Alyssa Farr, Emily Davidson, and Sammie (Ruhlman),” Warren coach Lisa LaVan said. “We turned up the pressure a bit more (in the second half). Alyssa and Emily held Piper scoreless (and) Sammie held Callahan to just two.”
Warren took the early lead and was ahead 13-8 after the first quarter. The Dragons extended the lead to 10, 25-15, at halftime.
Both defenses were on display to start the second half as the Dragons and Eagles combined for just two points, a Karis Perample bucket, through the first 5:30 of the third quarter. The Dragons burst through for six points over the next 90 seconds to take a 31-17 lead into the fourth.
Warren’s offense came alive with 14 fourth-quarter points, while the defense held Grove City to just a pair of field goals.
Izzy Gamble led the Eagles with 10 points, while Perample had seven.
Alana Stuart had a game-high 11 points. Farr had seven points, Meea Irwin six, and Ruhlman five points and six assists. Gracie Ruhlman pulled down eight rebounds and chipped in three points, while Halle Kuzminski had seven boards and four points.
Warren advances to the Class 4A semifinals where the Dragons will face Harbor Creek on Wednesday at the Hagerty Family Events Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. but will follow the Cathedral Prep vs. DuBois Class 5A subregional.
Basketball playoff coverage is sponsored in part by Olewine Financial Group.
