In what was the most challenging week of the schedule o far this season, the Lady Tigers basketball team came through in perfect condition. The Tigers downed top Colonial League teams Notre Dame Green Pond (15-4, 12-3) and Palmerton (16-3, 14-1) in back-to-back games. They also faced Southern Lehigh and ran away with a 48-6 win over the Lady Spartans (5-14, 5-9).

The showdown with Palmerton was just another in a lengthy line of matchups with the Blue Bombers that wind up being nail biters. This time around, Northwestern Lehigh got some payback for an early season 33-30 loss by downing Palmerton 43-40.

Senior Paige Sevrain led the way with 19 points and sophomore Cara Thomas dropped in 11 in the win. In the first half, Sevrain already had 14 points as the Lady Tigers opened a 29-17 lead. Palmerton’s Bethie Morgan took over the game in the second half when she scored 17 of her game-high 21 points to pull Palmerton back into the game. The Palmerton defense held Northwestern to a total of just 14 second half points as they chipped into the margin but were unable to overtake the Tigers.

In the win over Southern Lehigh, Thomas led the team with 16 points, playing just three quarters. Maci Fisher finished with 10 points for Northwestern Lehigh.

Northwestern Lehigh (18-1 overall, 13-1 Colonial) has clinched a spot in the Colonial League playoffs and in districts. The Tigers are still battling with Palmerton for the top spot in the league and for the division title. In districts, they are currently third among 4A schools behind Allentown Central Catholic (16-3) and North Schuylkill (16-2) based on the district power rankings. The top two teams in both the league and districts receive first round byes.

Over the last two seasons, Northwestern has owned its opponents over the second half of the season. In games after Christmas, the Lady Tigers are 26-1 in the last two seasons.

Northwestern Lehigh has three games left in the regular season, and all three are on the road. First up is Salisbury (3-16, 2-13), followed by Northern Lehigh (13-7, 9-7) and the season finale at Catasauqua (8-11, 5-10) on February 7.