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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

BC girls win seventh-straight title

Bethlehem Catholic’s girls basketball team clinched its seventh consecutive District XI championship with a 48-35 victory over Bangor in the Class 5A final on March 4 at Easton Area Middle School.

“They’ve got good strength, and they pushed our girls out, but our girls would not be pushed out,” said Becahi coach Jose Medina. “We all batted, and our strength is in our numbers.”

The Hawks surged in the second quarter and took a 23-15 halftime lead on forced turnovers and 3-pointers from Cici Hernandez, Briana McKelvey, and Ella Bincarosky after trailing by a point at the end of the first.

“At halftime, we stressed a teamwork aspect,” Hernandez said. “In the beginning, we were going one-on-one, trying to figure out what we could do ourselves, but once we started moving the ball, we started including everybody, and I feel like that was the turning point for our team.”

The Slaters had a chance to pull within three points mid-third quarter on a missed scoring opportunity by Becahi but also missed, and on their next possession, Bangor’s Madeline Stout hit a 3-pointer that made the score 27-23.

Slater coach Ed Ziegenfuss called a timeout, stressing to his team that they were “right there,” and Bangor stayed within four points until Hernandez drained a 3, and Yarian Fernandez scored two more points on a turnover for the Hawks.

“We knew they were down, arguably their best player, (Avery Nelson) but nonetheless, they were gonna give us a strong effort, and that they did,” Medina said, “but our girls found a way to continue to persevere.”

Becahi guard Mirynet Colon, usually a defensive force, came off the bench and led the charge in the fourth quarter as an offensive threat with seven consecutive points for the Hawks, starting with a huge 3 in the opening seconds.

“She’s a great spark plug for us, and she does a great job of playing at a high level,” Medina said.

While Bangor scored all its fourth-quarter points on free throws, Aliyah Brame’s bucket and Kendra Rigo’s 3-pointer for Becahi ended the game.

“It feels really good, especially after that hard loss to Easton,” said Hernandez, “and it’s good to get back.”

Bethlehem Catholic will host Upper Moreland in its first-round PIAA Class 5A state playoff game, scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 11.

The Bethlehem Catholic girls team knocked off Bangor in the District 11 finals last weekend.
Press photos by Linda Rothrock The girls celebrate after being awarded the District 11 trophy.
Becahi's Kendra Rigo, Yarlan Fernandez, Kendall Nickischer and Mirynet Colon celebrate the District 11 title get together after knocking off Bangor in the finals.
Bethlehem Catholic's Mekhyla Britt and Kendall Nickischer try to keep possession of the ball against Bangor.