If you go by which team has more wins against district champions in the PIAA tournament, Greensburg Central Catholic is the slight favorite to win the Class 3A girls basketball state championship.
GCC (23-7) will take on District 2 runner-up Holy Redeemer (22-8) for the title at 6 p.m. Thursday at Giant Center in Hershey.
The Centurions, the WPIAL runner-up, have knocked off District 10 champion Northwestern (50-36), District 3 winner Trinity (65-51) and WPIAL champ and nemesis Shady Side Academy (49-27).
Holy Redeemer has topped District 12 champ Imhotep (67-62) and District 4 winner Hughesville (39-27).
“Oh, I don’t know if we’re the favorite,” GCC coach Chris Skatell said. “They’re closer (to Hershey) than we are, right? It’s hard to say. They have a nice group that plays together as a team. If we play as selfless as we did (in the semifinals), we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
Neither GCC nor Holy Redeemer have a section, division or district title to their credit this season, but one will have a state title come Thursday evening.
GCC hasn’t won a state championship in 29 years, while this is Holy Redeemer’s first time in the PIAA finals.
The Royals, who hadn’t been in the PIAA semifinals since 2015, are not tall overall, but they rely on savvy guards and a senior-heavy lineup.
“I think anyone can beat anyone on any given day,” GCC senior guard Jayla Peterson said. “I don’t think we’re the favorites, but I think if we play hard and all contribute, we should be just fine and walk out happy.”
GCC was masterful in its execution Monday during a head-turning western final win over Shady Side Academy. The Centurions moved the ball on offense and swarmed on defense, using relentless zone pressure to take down the team that beat them twice in section play and in the WPIAL championship.
The Centurions have length, with all five starters 5-foot-10 or taller, and senior guard Erica Gribble (23 points per game) is a chore to match up against on both ends of the floor.
Peterson (13 ppg) continues to show touch from the perimeter, while 5-11 junior forward Avery Jones has been consistent throughout the postseason finishing around the rim and rebounding.
Holy Redeemer coach John Jezorwski was impressed by GCC’s game film.
“What jumps out is their team chemistry,” Jezorwski said. “They seem to have a nice flow offensively. Defensively, they cause a lot of distractions. And they are coached extremely well.”
Senior forward Abby Dlugos is a key post player for GCC, while junior Nolan Althof is a reliable starter in the frontcourt. Junior Morgan Skoloda has provided a 3-point spark off the bench of late.
“We have to rebound and not turn it over,” Skatell said. “We have to take care of the ball.”
Holy Redeemer has had to play differing styles in the postseason, running sets one night and turning up the transition the next.
“(Bella) Boylan is a nice athlete for them who seems to bring a lot of energy,” Skatell said.
Senior McKenzie Chimock is 5-5 but plays big for the Royals with a 15-point average.
Jezorwski said a key game for his team was a loss to Class 6A Hazleton Area, which finished 26-3 this season. The final score was 78-51, but the Royals trailed by only three at the half, showing they could hang with a larger class team.
GCC is ready to change up its style if necessary under all-or-nothing circumstances.
The Centurions have played man-to-man and zone consistently, having shown the athleticism to run and the patience to play in the halfcourt.
“We’re going to stay who we have been,” Skatell said. “We have a chance. At this point, all you can ask for is give me a chance.”
Jezorwski said “controlled chaos” is his team’s key to victory Thursday.
“Rebounding and tempo will determine if we can be successful,” he said.
Numerous road trips this season — to Florida and Ohio out of state, and in-state excursions to Altoona and Sharon — have prepared GCC for another long trek.
“Routines,” Skatell said. “It’s kind of what we’re used to doing, so it’s not new. I want them to be as comfortable as they can be.”
After such an emotional win over Shady Side, Skatell hopes GCC has enough in the tank for one more lap.
He doesn’t think the semifinal win was GCC’s Super Bowl.
“I have three seniors on the team; they know what’s left to do,” Skatell said. “I told them, ‘Let’s go out there and have a bunch of fun. You will never get to do this again.’”
A Westmoreland County team hasn’t won a state basketball title in 18 years.
A local girls team has not won a title in 22 years.
Four boys teams from Westmoreland have state championships: Irwin (1947, ’48, ’53, ’54), Valley (1979), Monessen (1988, ’89) and Jeannette (2008).
Local girls PIAA hoop champions are: Franklin Regional (1979), GCC (1997) and Monessen (2004).
PIAA basketball championships
Giant Center, Hershey
Thursday
Class 2A girls: Berlin Brothersvalley vs. Neshannock, noon
Class A boys: Neighborhood Academy vs. Sankofa Freedom, 2 p.m.
Class 3A girls: Greensburg Central Catholic vs. Holy Redeemer, 6 p.m.
Class 4A boys: Devon Prep vs. Obama Academy, 8 p.m.
Friday
Class A girls: Williamsburg vs. Delco Christian, Noon
Class 2A boys: Old Forge vs. Sewickley Academy, 2 p.m.
Class 6A girls: Upper Dublin vs. Dallastown, 6 p.m.
Class 4A boys: Monsignor Bonner vs. West York
Saturday
Class 4A girls: Neumann-Goretti vs. Oakland Catholic, Noon
Class 3A boys: Trinity vs. West Catholic, 2 p.m.
Class 5A girls: South Fayette vs. Archbishop Wood, 6 p.m.
Class 6A boys: Imhotep vs. Central Dauphin, 8 p.m.