The Allentown High School girls’ basketball team has drawn up a plan to fly through the NJSIAA tournament this month.
“I think we’re going to take our momentum with us and our teamwork,” junior guard Lauren Coiante said. “I think those can get us really far.”
Allentown launched its run to a state sectional title when the Redbirds soared past Pennsauken High School, 71-35, in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 3 tournament on Feb. 26 in Allentown.
The host Redbirds, seeded No. 2 in the section, then defeated seventh-seeded Burlington County Institute of Technology Westampton Campus, 83-47, in the quarterfinals on Feb. 28 to set up their semifinals matchup with third-seeded Steinert on March 2.
Allentown scored another convincing victory over Steinert, 64-30, to advance to a championship game showdown against Ewing High School that was scheduled for March 5 at Ewing. The Redbirds, who suffered a regular-season loss to Ewing, 52-41, on Jan. 19, entered the state sectional title game with a 24-3 record.
In the opening round against Pennsauken, senior guard Ryan Weise led Allentown when she pumped in 33 points while dishing out seven assists and making six steals. Coiante recorded 14 points, five assists and six rebounds.
“All of our baskets were going in,” Coiante said. “We moved the ball really well as a team.”
She pointed out that Allentown had areas to improve on as it advanced through the tournament.
“There’s always stuff to improve on,” Coiante said. “Defense, I think, is definitely something we need to continue to improve on if we’re going to win.”
In Allentown’s dominating victory in the quarterfinals against Westampton Tech, Weise fired in 25 points and had 10 assists and 10 steals. Freshman Maddie McCrea came through with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Coiante chipped in with 14 points and eight assists.
In the semifinals matchup against Steinert that saw Allentown take a 38-8 lead into halftime, Weise once again led the way with 14 points. Senior Katie White and McCrea added to the Redbirds’ effort with 10 points apiece, while senior Marin Hartshorn and Coiante posted nine points each.
The Redbirds lost in the semifinals of the Central Jersey, Group 3 tournament last season to Neptune High School, 69-61, to end the year with a 21-6 record.