Minus one quarter, Penn-Trafford played sharp basketball in four WPIAL playoff games, first-year coach Chuck Fontana said.
The outlier?
“The fourth quarter of the (Thomas Jefferson) game,” Fontana said. “We had too many turnovers and didn’t make shots when we needed to that quarter. We need to take care of the basketball, limit turnovers and hit shots when we are open.”
Penn-Trafford struggled in a foul-plagued final quarter of a 69-41 semifinal loss to Thomas Jefferson, the eventual WPIAL runner-up. The Warriors were outscored 24-6 over the final eight minutes.
The girls have a chance to continue their postseason proficiency, however, with the start of the PIAA playoffs.
Penn-Trafford (20-6) will host a Class 5A state playoff opener at 1 p.m. Saturday against West York (16-10), the sixth-place finisher from District 3 that will travel 202 miles to play the Warriors.
Penn-Trafford doesn’t plan to change its plan of attack.
“I think we need to keep playing how we are,” senior guard Torrie DeStefano said. “Our defense will produce offense, so I think just sticking to the game plan and playing as one will make us continue to move forward. We believe and have so much trust in each other.”
Last year, Penn-Trafford tore through the regular season with a 22-0 record but dropped a heartbreaker in the PIAA first round, falling 52-50 to Middletown as the fifth-place team from the WPIAL.
“The loss last year is definitely motivation for this group this year,” Fontana said. “The girls are focused and want to do well this year in the PIAA tourney.”
Penn-Trafford quickly rebounded from the Thomas Jefferson loss by beating Peters Township, 54-51, in the third-place game for PIAA placement.
DeStefano scored 19 to lead the Warriors, whose most recent victory in a PIAA tournament game came in 2023.
Opening the state tournament at home suits the Warriors, who have won 25 straight in Harrison City. Fontana wants Warriors faithful to bring their best tomahawk chop to the matinee.
“The win against Peters Township was very important because we are able to host a state playoff game,” Fontana said. “Being able to play at home and try to continue our home win streak is, hopefully, going to be to our advantage. Not having to drive for over three hours is definitely a plus this year. And our girls love playing at home in front of our fans. Our fans are the best. They have supported us all year and we truly appreciate them.”
West York made the PIAA second round last year and lost to South Fayette, which is seeking its second straight state title.
Guard-oriented Penn-Trafford has relied on the consistent play of DeStefano, the program’s all-time leader in steals.
The Warriors hope to steal a few state wins. They have never made it past the second round.
“We don’t really look in the past,” DeStefano said. “However, there is slight motivation for those that played last year just because we want to make it further, and especially for us seniors we want as many more games we can get with this team.”