Hershey bound! What to know about Archbishop Wood's PIAA finals 🏀matchup with Cathedral Prep
The biggest games of the high school basketball season will take place this weekend with the PIAA state championships in Hershey, and Archbishop Wood is envisioning the sweet taste of a state title. Sound familiar? That’s because the Vikings, the defending state champs, have been here before and are looking to make history this time.
Here’s a look at the matchup:
PIAA Class 5A, Saturday, March 23
12-1 Archbishop Wood vs. 10-1 Cathedral Prep, 6 p.m. at Giant Center, Hershey
Archbishop Wood set to make PIAA history
The Vikings are playing in the PIAA championship game for the fourth straight year. Last season, they defeated South Fayette 61-54 for their third straight title. The Vikings will look to become the first team to win four straight titles since 2004 when Allentown Central Catholic pulled off the feat.
Cathedral Prep has new name but plenty familiar with PIAA championships
Cathedral Prep will be playing in its first title game under the team’s new name. Formerly known as Villa Maria, the girls’ school merged with Cathedral Prep in 2021.
However, the Ramblers have plenty of experience in championship games, making the finals in 2021. They won three straight Class 2A titles from 2009-11.
The Vikings and Ramblers have recent history
The two teams played each other in the 2020-21 PIAA Girls Basketball Championships, when both were in Class 4A. The Vikings won 44-34.
Cathedral Prep’s path to the Class 5A championship game
The Ramblers (23-2) won the District 10 championship and defeated Obama Academy 61-33 in the District 8/9/10 Sub-Regional Championship. In the PIAA tournament, they topped McKeesport 35-20 in the semifinals and won 39-29 over Oakland Catholic in the quarterfinals. In the first two rounds, they had wins over Trinity (53-29) and Northern York (61-36).
Archbishop Wood’s path to the Class 5A championship game
The Vikings (25-5) won the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, topping Archbishop Carroll 54-52 in a double overtime thriller. In the District 12 championship game, they downed Public League team Freire Charter 74-34. In the PIAA playoffs, the Vikings have outscored opponents 222-130. In the semifinals, they rolled past District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic 53-30.
Archbishop Wood and Cathedral Prep by the numbers:
Wood scores an average of 58 points per game and allows 40 points per game.
CP averages 54 points per game and gives up 34 points per game.
More: Track the top performances from PIAA girls basketball playoffs, from first round to finals
Top Players for Wood, Cathedral Prep:
Jayden McBride, Cathedral Prep
The senior is a Georgetown commit and averaging 14.3 points per game. She and the Ramblers’ other seniors were part of the 2021 team that lost to Wood in the title game. The guard had a team-high 14 points in their PIAA quarterfinal win.
Lena Walz, Cathedral Prep
Walz is another Division 1 commit, headed to St. Bonaventure next year. The senior guard had game-high 22 points in the Ramblers’ second-round win, and scored 12 points in the PIAA semifinal victory.
Addie Biel, Cathedral Prep
The junior forward led the Ramblers with 17 points in their PIAA semifinal win, had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the second round, and scored 17 points in their first-round victory.
Ava Renninger, Archbishop Wood
The junior Farleigh Dickinson recruit is averaging 12 points per game this season. That’s a bit misleading, though, as the Vikings, winning many games by a large margin, often use as many as 10 players. She had 14 points in the Vikings’ semifinal win, and totaled 20 rebounds in the first- and second-round games.
Emily Knouse, Archbishop Wood
The senior St. Joseph’s commit is also averaging 12 points per game, and like Renninger, is often on the bench in the fourth quarter during the regular season. She had led the Vikings’ in scoring in all four state playoff games, scoring 15, 12, 14 and 26 points. In the semifinals, Knouse had 12 points in the first quarter, and at one point scored 14 straight points, en route to the 26 in the 53-30 win.
Lauren Greer, Archbishop Wood
The senior is the Vikings’ top defender. In the semifinals, she held Bethlehem Catholic’s top player to 5 points on 2-for-11 shooting. She had 10 rebounds in both the second round and quarterfinals, and can also score when needed, tallying 12 or more points in four district and state playoff games.
Alexa Windish, Archbishop Wood
The senior Kutztown commit stepped into the starting lineup this season and has proved to be a fine complement to both the offense and defense. She’s scored in double digits in six games this season, brings energy and leads the team in charges taken.
Sophia Topkas, Archbishop Wood
The sophomore has taken on a big role in the Vikings’ starting lineup this year, and she’s proved she can handle the pressure. In the second round of the PIAA playoffs, Topkas had nine points, five rebounds − four offensive − and three assists against Dallas.
Sophia McDonald, Archbishop Wood
The freshman has been getting plenty of chances to contribute this season, and that includes postseason games. In the second round of states, she came off the bench and scored 12 points, a team-high that she shared with starters Greer and Knouse.
Makayla Finnegan, Archbishop Wood
Finnegan is another freshman who has impressed this season, scoring nine or more points in six games, with a season-high of 16 points.
More: Lauren Greer has had many memorable moments at Archbishop Wood. This one tops them all – so far.
Coaching Matchups for Wood, Cathedral Prep
The Ramblers are led by Doug Chuzie, who earned his 300th career win in the PIAA semifinals.
Mike McDonald has led the Vikings since 2015. He has accumulated five state championships, three Catholic League championships, and four PIAA Coach of the Year honors.
How to watch the games:
If you can’t make it to Hershey, watch live from home with the PCN's television and online coverage options. Those in PA can watch the PCN network on cable tv, or stream anywhere with PCN Select, available on desktop, mobile, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku. Visit pcntv.com for more details.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA 5A Girls Basketball Preview: Archbishop Wood, Cathedral Prep
