The St. Joseph girls basketball team again is experiencing the PIAA’s version of March Madness.
The Spartans played their way to a fifth straight berth in the Class A state tournament. Hoping to get there now has turned into an expectation, and coach Geoff Dutelle is happy to help fuel that goal.
“There are more teams not playing than there are playing at this point, and we’re one of the ones still playing, and all the credit goes to the girls for having that goal of getting back to states,” Dutelle said.
St. Joseph, 14-11 overall and the No. 6 team from the WPIAL, will pay a visit to District 9 champion Clarion Limestone in the first round at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Spartans traveled to District 10 champion Farrell last year and gave the Steelers all they could handle in a 56-53 loss that went down to the wire.
“The girls last year, many of whom stepped up into bigger roles because of graduation the year before, all they knew was winning,” Dutelle said. “They were a part of the preparation, and they knew what it took to get to states. That is what they envisioned. This group this year is the same way. We didn’t win quite as many games – I think our schedule was tougher in a good way – but the girls went out and competed. They have that confidence they can go out and win these big games.”
St. Joseph went back and forth with No. 4 Geibel Catholic on the Gators’ home court in the WPIAL quarterfinals. It came down to the wire as Mallory Clemmer hit the game-winning shot with five seconds left.
Sophomore Bella Bartolovic, St. Joseph’s leading scorer throughout the season, led the way for the Spartans with a game-high 24 points. Junior Jocelyn Spinelli added 17. Senior Kasey Cienik also provided a veteran presence with key buckets to keep the visitors close.
“The loss to Geibel was actually a high, which, in a sense, sounds bad because it was a loss,” Dutelle said. “But we played very well and tough. And Geibel then went on a run and almost won (the WPIAL title). For us to being that close to winning (in the quarterfinals), it was a good sign for the girls.”
St. Joseph dropped to the consolation bracket where it clinched its spot in the state tournament with its third win over Eden Christian, 61-48, to sweep the season series. The Spartans then dropped a 58-48 decision to section rival Sewickley Academy in the fifth-place game.
“We didn’t play particularly well in either of our consolation games,” Dutuelle said. “I give Eden a lot of credit. They played hard and didn’t make it easy for us. It’s been up and down. We just wish we were playing a little better going into states.”
Dutelle said the 10-day layoff from the WPIAL consolation games and Saturday’s first-round contest allowed his players a chance to rest and recharge. The team stepped away from the gym for four days before returning to practice Monday to begin preparation for the District 9 champion.
“We did that last year, and it went very well,” Dutelle said. “The problem is that we weren’t very healthy when we came back. We’ve had some sickness going around. Hopefully, by Saturday, we will be prepared and ready to go.”
Dutelle said scouting and film review has given the Spartans a good read on Clarion Limestone (19-7), the No. 4 seed in the District 9 playoffs that made a run to knock off two higher seeds en route to the title.
“They are a very physical and strong team that plays very good defense,” Dutelle said. “They are on a really good run right now and are no doubt playing with a lot of confidence. I think there are some matchup things that potentially can benefit us, but it is a little hard to tell, at times, from just seeing the film. I think it will be the classic strength-versus-speed kind of game. I think we might have the speed edge, but I think they will be stronger than us. It’s going to be an interesting matchup. Early adjustments in the game will be key.”
St. Joseph is not the first WPIAL team the Lions will face this season.
Limestone took on Freeport at the Redbank Valley holiday tournament, and the Class 4A Yellowjackets scored a 65-46 victory.
“That helps to make a local connection,” Dutelle said.