PIAA Girls’ Hoops: Hurricanes roll in state playoff opener
Schuylkill Haven's Ava Terefencko (13) looks to pass during a PIAA Class 3A First Round girls' basketball game at the CACL Center Friday against Philadelphia Academy Charter. The Hurricanes rolled past the Chargers 50-19. Also pictured for Schuylkill Haven is Kylie Siket (3) and Audrey Hutchinson (2) (Photo by Eli Doyle).
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill Haven wasted little time asserting itself in the state tournament.
Senior guard Audrey Hutchinson led all scorers with 19 points, controlling the glass and setting the tone on both ends as the Hurricanes rolled past Philadelphia Academy Charter 50-19 in the PIAA Class 3A First Round on Friday at the CACL Center.
“We wanted them to start fast today,” Schuylkill Haven coach Tony Sanders said. “They usually do that well, and they do a good job defensively for us. Starting fast is big for us.”
Hutchinson was relentless from the opening minutes. She scored in transition, cleaned up multiple offensive rebounds and converted through contact, helping Schuylkill Haven (23-5) build an early double-digit lead that never dipped back into single digits.
Facing a Chargers (10-9) squad made up entirely of freshmen and dressed with just six players, the Hurricanes applied pressure from the start. Kylie Siket knocked down a 3-pointer on the opening possession, Mckenna Runkle converted a three-point play and Hutchinson followed with second-chance buckets as Haven surged to a 19-5 first-quarter advantage.
Schuylkill Haven stretched the margin to 33-11 by halftime behind strong defense and crisp ball movement. Siket added another 3-pointer, Ava Terefencko finished in transition and the Hurricanes consistently turned turnovers into points.
The game broke open in the third quarter. Hutchinson continued to dominate the boards and added quick baskets in transition as Haven outscored the Chargers 17-3 in the frame to push the lead to 50-14 and trigger a running clock in the fourth.
Hutchinson finished with 15 rebounds.
Runkle finished with 10 points, Terefencko added 10 and Siket chipped in eight in a balanced effort for the Hurricanes.
“Our girls do a really good job of staying motivated and hungry throughout the game,” Sanders said. “We don’t really have to motivate them too much. They show up ready to go.”
With the outcome secured, Haven rotated deep into its bench in the final period, giving valuable postseason minutes to younger players. At one point, all 10 players on the floor between both teams were freshmen — a rare sight at this stage of the state playoffs.
Schuylkill Haven advances to Tuesday’s PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal round for a rematch of last year’s matchup against Pequea Valley (21-4). A site and time are to be determined.
The Braves defeated the Hurricanes 56-53 a season ago to end Haven’s postseason run.
“Today, it was win this game and move on,” Sanders said of the looming matchup with Pequea Valley. “Now we’ll begin to focus on them.”
Game Summary
PIAA Class 3A First Round
At the CACL Center
PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY CHARTER (19) — Asher 3 3-5 9, Hernandez 2 3-6 7, G. Gerace 1 1-2 3, Lopez 0 0-0 0, Whiten 0 0-0 0, M. Gerace 0 0-0 0. Totals 6 7-13 19.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN (50) — Hutchinson 8 3-3 19, Runkle 4 2-5 10, Siket 3 0-0 8, Terefencko 5 0-0 10, Strencoski 0 1-2 1, Wade 0 0-0 0, Bayer 0 0-0 0, Benedict 0 0-0 0, Houvig 0 0-0 0, Brand 0 0-0 0, Farrell 0 0-0 0, Kovaleski 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 6-10 50.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| PAC (10-9) | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 19 |
| SH (23-5) | 19 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 50 |
