By: Jordan Hirsh
February 8, 2023
NEWTOWN, PA. – The Pennsbury Lady Falcons (17-5) finished their regular season with a win over the Council Rock North Indians (9-13) on Tuesday, 32-22.
Coming into the game, Pennsbury knew they were going to have to defend the paint if they wanted to win. “[Council Rock North] is going to try to pound it in low… They have more of an interior look,” said Lady Falcons head coach Frank Sciolla before the game.
Pennsbury executed this game plan to a tee. Excellent interior defense from freshman forward Emily Panaro and junior forward Oliveah Gilchrist frustrated Council Rock North forwards Jaden Wan, the team’s second leading scorer, and Ruth O’Keeffe in the paint all night, holding them to a combined 2 points. In fact, the Indians as a whole, did not make a shot from inside the three-point line until the 3:04 mark of the fourth quarter.
By halftime, the Lady Falcons held a 19-9 lead, thanks to their excellent defense and perimeter play. Senior guard Nevaeh Dash drilled a couple of threes for her 6 first half points, and was tied for the team lead in scoring at the break with junior guard Sofia Vitucci.
Meanwhile, Council Rock North struggled from deep, going just 3 of 13 before halftime.
Out of the break, however, it was a different story. The Indians hit three of four three-pointers in the third, and, as a result, were able to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Pennsbury’s defense proved too much to overcome, though, as Council Rock North was only able to muster 4 points in the quarter. When the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Falcons had a hard-fought 32-22 win.
The loss officially eliminated Council Rock North from playoff contention.
Pennsbury was led in scoring by Sofia Vitucci, who racked up 10 points, making her the only player on either side to score in double figures. Nevaeh Dash added 9 points on three three-point makes, and was named player of the game in her final regular season contest as a member of the Lady Falcons.
“It feels good… to come back here and play with the intensity that we played with, it felt good,” said Dash, speaking postgame about bouncing back from a tough loss on Friday.
Pennsbury will now get set to host the first round of the SOL tournament on Friday back at the Falcon’s Nest.
Dash’s message to the Falcon faithful on Friday, “Just come out and support us.”
Knowing Pennsbury fans, they will do just that.