A capsule look at tonight’s state semifinal matchup | News, Sports, Jobs

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Loyalsock’s Julie Ellis (2) drives around Dunmore’s Amanda Dempsey (10) in the first half.

Loyalsock (28-2) vs.

Imhotep (23-6) at Parkland High School, 6 p.m.

Loyalsock road to Final Four: In District 4, beat Line Mountain, 77-31, Towanda, 52-20, and Hughesville, 52-49; In states, beat Biglerville, 53-20, West Catholic, 54-35, and Dunmore, 60-36

Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock is making its second straight Final 4 appearance after having previously never advanced beyond the quarterfinals. The Lancers have won six state tournament games the past two years and have set a new single-season record for wins both times, going a combined 55-6. The 28 wins this season also tie the mark for most games won by any Loyalsock basketball team in the 2000s, sharing that distinction with last year’s boys’ team. The Lancers rallied from a point down in the second quarter against Dunmore, outscoring it, 42-14 in the middle quarters. They also snapped Dunmore’s 18-game winning streak after closing the second round game against West Catholic on a 19-4 run. Loyalsock is allowing 30.9 points per game and held Dunmore 20 points below its season average. Lacey Kriebel scored a season-high 24 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Alaina Dadzie scored 17 points and Jaekairah Harden had 10 points with eight rebounds. Julie Ellis and Jillian Kennedy excelled defensively and Addie Bastian and Madison Perry provided quality minutes off the bench. Loyalsock’s two losses this season are by three combined points against 5A state semifinalist Crestwood and District 4 Class AAAA champion Central Columbia, both games being decided in the last 2.6 seconds. Loyalsock enters tonight on a six game winning streak and has won 18 or more games in nine straight seasons.

Imhotep road to Final Four: In District 12, beat Academy at Palumbo, 62-18; lost to Audenried, 65-52, beat West Catholic, 57-35; In States, beat Executive Education, 53-27, Hughesville, 52-41, and Pequea Valley, 55-25

Imhotep notes: Like Loyalsock, Imhotep is trying to reach its first state final. It also is making its state semifinal debut after starting strong against Pequea Valley. The Panthers earned a hard-fought win against Hughesville in the second round, scoring the game’s final seven points in the last minute after the squads exchanged 11 first-half leads. Geren Hargrove and Anise Geiger form a strong inside tandem and combined for 28 points against Hughesville. Guard Sabria Mann has enjoyed an excellent season as has wing forward Geren Hawthorne, who is especially dangerous near the rim. Ashlee Boykins, McKenna Alston and Kayla Thompson all have played well off the bench and Anai Kenyatta hit a key 3-pointer against Hughesville. Imhotep held a 30-22 advantage on the boards against Pequea Valley and did a nice job igniting its transition game off those defensive boards. Pequea Valley forced 12 second half turnovers but Imhotep built a 26-9 halftime lead and was able to gradually extend that through the final two quarters. The Panthers reached the Public League championship, losing a hard-fought game against Audenried. They average 54 points per game and, like Loyalsock, have heated up at the perfect time, winning 18 of their last 19 games.

Winner plays: Shady Side Academy or Our Lady of Sacred Heart