Fox Chapel girls basketball coach Marty Matvey believes guard Lyla Jablon won’t wilt at the first sign of trouble. During her four seasons with the Foxes, she has been challenged by Matvey to be ready for the tough moments.
During Fox Chapel’s 60-58 win over Latrobe in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs Friday night at home, Jablon weathered many storms. Jablon, who is 5-foot-4, was asked to guard 5-10 Latrobe forward Maggie Maiers in addition to her duties running the offense.
She also had to play the last 4 minutes, 46 seconds of the game with four fouls.
“Lyla has allowed me to coach her authentically the way I have coached kids in college,” Matvey said. “That becomes a lot of challenges and a lot of honest conversations. That relationship between her and I is one I’ll cherish forever. It hasn’t always been easy. She takes the feedback and doesn’t always like it, but she takes it and learns from it.”
Jablon, who scored a team-high 24 points, wasn’t worried about staying in the game. She’s had some practice with having to recenter herself during games.
Fox Chapel (15-8) presses frequently, which results in chaotic — if not always textbook — defending.
“I’m used to it,” Jablon said. “The last couple games I’ve had three in the first quarter or second quarter, and I’ve kept it to three. I can keep my hands up after I’ve had a couple fouls.”
Jablon staying on the floor helped open things up for teammates. Freshman Bella Geller made the go-ahead basket, a 3-pointer with 1:37 remaining, to give the Foxes the lead for good at 56-53.
“I felt comfortable,” Geller said. “I know my coach trusts me to take those shots.”
Latrobe (11-9) wasn’t bothered by the Foxes’ pressure early in the contest. The Wildcats built a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Fox Chapel didn’t score during the game’s first five minutes.
“Our 1-2-2 press wasn’t effective in the first half,” Matvey said. “We weren’t urgent enough on the traps. When they beat it, they were giving it to Maggie and she was scoring every time.”
Geller, who finished with 10 points, broke the ice with a jumper.
Latrobe coach Mackenzie Livingston was proud of how her team played.
“We are a young team,” Livingston said. “We only have one senior. The rest are all sophomores or freshmen starting. They handled the atmosphere perfectly.”
Maiers, despite having to contend with Jablon, found plenty of ways to score. She finished with a game-high 31 points.
“Maggie is a force to be reckoned with,” Livingston said. “I think more college coaches need to be looking at her because she is overlooked. The heart and the effort she plays with every single night, she’s been consistent all year.”
Fox Chapel led 24-22 at the half. Latrobe took the lead several times in the second half. The Wildcats went ahead by one right after halftime when Natalia Scekeres made a 3-pointer.
Fox Chapel eventually regained control and led by three entering the fourth quarter. Emily McKee finished with 12 points for the Foxes before fouling out with 3:09 remaining. Nina Kulikowski also finished with 10 points.
“We had to take our time with the ball,” Geller said. “We knew we could handle it and get through tough games.”
It was Fox Chapel’s first playoff win since 2021. The Foxes have won seven consecutive games.
“It makes me so proud,” Jablon said. “Seeing everyone succeed is one of the best things about this team.”