Schuylkill Haven's Mckenna Runkle (10) sets up the Hurricanes offense. Also pictured for Schuylkill Haven is Audrey Hutchinson (2) (Photo by Eli Doyle).

Hutchinson, Runkle star in Haven’s 52-33 victory

READING — Schuylkill Haven was confident.

There was no fear, no panic, no nervousness despite the stage, despite the stakes.

The Hurricanes played with poise, intensity and aggression.

It was a performance that left Pequea Valley in the dust.

Mckenna Runkle scored a game-high 23 points and Audrey Hutchinson recorded a double-double as Schuylkill Haven rolled past Pequea Valley 52-33 on Tuesday night in a PIAA Class 3A girls’ basketball second-round game at the Geigle Complex.

The victory advances the Hurricanes (24-5) to the PIAA state quarterfinals for the first time since 1985. The District 11 runners-up will face District 2 runner-up Holy Redeemer on Friday at a site and time to be determined.

It also avenges a 56-53 defeat to the Braves in the same round last year, a loss that ended Schuylkill Haven’s season.

“Because we were in that position last year, we only lost by 3, and this year we’ve been on a really good roll … you never want it to be your last game,” Hutchinson said. “Me being a senior, my team really stepped up and was there for me today.”

Pequea Valley (21-6) had no answers all game for Runkle and Hutchinson, who combined for 38 points and 25 rebounds and always seemed to be around the ball at both ends of the floor.

Schuylkill Haven’s two leaders each took over the game at one point.

Hutchinson went first, scoring eight of her 15 points in the second quarter as Schuylkill Haven used an 11-3 frame to build a 20-13 halftime lead.

The senior guard scored six points in an 8-0 run to open the second quarter, then added a jumper later in the half.

Runkle took over in the second half, as the junior forward scored 11 of her points in the third quarter to help the Hurricanes pull away. She was also a menace on the boards, finishing with 12 rebounds, several on the offensive end.

Schuylkill Haven scored a whopping 21 points in the third quarter, hitting 8-of-15 from the field. In addition to Runkle’s dominance, Kylie Siket drained a pair of 3-pointers as the Hurricanes stretched the advantage to 41-22 after three periods.

“Going into halftime … we were up at halftime in this game last year and we let down,” Runkle said. “We knew we couldn’t let that happen again.

“We came out confident. This deep in the season, you have to be. You can’t let down.

“I’m glad I was on. I just kept going. It was going well for me.”

Schuylkill Haven’s defense also deserves accolades.

The Hurricanes put the clamps on Pequea Valley’s offense, holding the Braves without a field goal in the second quarter. Pequea Valley didn’t hit a shot from the field for a span of 10 minutes, 26 seconds from late in the first quarter to early in the third, shooting 0-for-10 in the second period.

In addition to that, Schuylkill Haven did an excellent job getting hands in passing lanes, anticipating where the ball was going and intercepting passes better than a football defensive back.

The Hurricanes forced 25 turnovers, 14 in the middle quarters when they took control.

The biggest defensive effort came from Hutchinson, who guarded Pequea Valley All-State guard Janae Patterson from start to finish.

The senior finished with a team-high 16 points, but they were a quiet 16 points. Hutchinson’s play, with some help down low when Patterson drove to the basket, prevented the speedy guard from ever really getting in a groove.

Except early, when Pequea Valley led in the first quarter, the Braves never had any type of offensive rhythm. Unlike last year, when the Braves caught fire in the fourth quarter and rallied for the win, Schuylkill Haven never let Pequea Valley put together a run to get back in it.

“It’s the same principles that we practice every day,” Hutchinson said of her defense on Patterson. “Just keep her in front.

“But it’s really the help defense, having my teammates help me. Mckenna’s a beast in help. I can always trust that if she does get by me, Mckenna would be there to shut her down.”

The last time Schuylkill Haven advanced this deep in the PIAA girls’ basketball playoffs, the Hurricanes made it all the way to Hershey, winning the 1985 PIAA Class A title.

The road to Hershey will be a tough trek from here, with District 2 runner-up Holy Redeemer, District 4 champion Hughesville and District 2 champion Dunmore remaining in the top half of the bracket.

Hutchinson and Runkle said they’re excited to still be playing basketball as the weather gets warm and spring sports begin their seasons.

“Falling short (in the district final) lights your fire a little more,” Hutchinson said. “We’re all ready to keep going. The weather is nice out, but we’re still playing basketball.”

Added Runkle: “It’s win or go home at this point, this deep in the season. It’s really awesome to still be playing basketball this time of the year. We don’t want to stop.”

Game Summary

PIAA Class 3A Girls’ Second Round

At Geigle Complex, Reading

PEQUEA VALLEY (33) — Patterson 6 4-4 16, S. Burke 2 0-0 4, Martin 1 2-2 4, Eby 0 0-0 0, Lapp 2 0-0 4, T. Burke 2 1-4 5, Cazanave 0 0-2 0. Totals 13 7-12 33.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN (52) — Hutchinson 6 3-5 15, Siket 3 0-0 8, Runkle 8 6-7 23, Terefencko 1 0-2 2, Strenkoski 1 2-2 4, Wade 0 0-0 0, Brand 0 0-0 0, Farrell 0 0-0 0, Bayer 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-16 52.

3-point FGs: Siket 2, Runkle