In this post, we’ll provide updates on Girls Basketball action from across Lebanon County. This will be a rolling summary, continually updated as we receive new details, giving you a one-stop place to stay informed on all the latest happenings.
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Monday, February 9th
Cedar Crest 46, Lancaster Catholic 41 [2 OT]
In a game broadcast as part of our LebCo Sports Live Series on Monday night, the Section 1 co-champion Cedar Crest Falcons hit the road to face Lancaster Catholic, the Section 3 champions, in the quarterfinals of the Lancaster-Lebanon League playoffs. Earlier this season, Catholic won a tight 31-28 game — and the rematch somehow delivered even more drama.
Cedar Crest worked its way out to a 10-5 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, with Elli Malinoski knocking down a pair of threes on her way to 7 points, while Ali Groff added a three of her own.
The Falcons controlled the early part of the 2nd quarter, but momentum began to shift toward the Crusaders. By halftime, Catholic had trimmed a point off Cedar Crest’s lead to make it 19-15. In the quarter, Kaila Francis went 2-for-2 at the line on her way to 4 points, and Malinoski added another three. For Catholic, Mia Bonafede (6 points) and Morgan Gaylord (5) carried the offense early — especially with leading scorer Nevaeh Kennedy largely held in check by the Cedar Crest defense through the first two quarters.
In the 3rd quarter, the two teams played to a 10-10 draw. Cedar Crest was led by 6 points from Francis, while Catholic got another big stretch from Bonafede, who matched that effort.
Then came what looked like the final quarter — until it wasn’t.
Lancaster Catholic continued to battle and grabbed its first lead with 13.7 seconds left in regulation when Kennedy converted a layup after a missed Cedar Crest free throw. After a pair of Bonafede free throws, the Falcons found themselves down three on the final possession. Malinoski got the call to take the tying shot — and as time expired, she was fouled on the attempt. That set up three free throws with 0.0 on the clock. The sophomore, with ice in her veins, knocked down all three to force overtime.
In the 1st overtime, the teams traded baskets and finished in a 4-4 tie, sending it to a second extra period. In the 2nd overtime, Cedar Crest took control. Malinoski hit a field goal, Francis delivered four free throws, and Groff added two more from the line as the Falcons closed it out.
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, Cedar Crest walked away with a 46-43 win in what was an epic, heavyweight battle.
Malinoski led Cedar Crest with 18 points, including three threes and a 4-for-5 night at the line. Francis added 16 points and went an impressive 10-for-12 from the charity stripe.
For Lancaster Catholic, Bonafede led the way with 14 points, Gaylord scored 11, and Kennedy finished with 9.
Cedar Crest will now move on to the semifinals Wednesday at Hempfield, where the Falcons will face Ephrata with a spot in the L-L League championship game on the line.
Watch the Full Broadcast
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT1 | OT2 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Crest | 10 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 46 |
| Lanc Catholic | 5 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 41 |
CC Scoring: E. Malinoski 18, K. Francis 16, A. Groff 5, O. Young 5, R. Stopper 2
LC Scoring: M. Bonafede 14, M. Gaylord 11, N. Kennedy 9, E. Stefenan 3, N. Celluci
New Covenant 45, Covenant Christian 25
Palmyra 48, Carlisle 26
Cumberland Valley 57, Lebanon 46
Harrisburg Academy 56, Our Lady of the Cross 10
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