Berks girls quarterfinal preview: No. 1 Wilson vs. No. 8 Schuylkill Valley
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
No. 1 Wilson (21-1) vs. No. 8 Sch. Valley (15-7)
How the Bulldogs got here: Talented, experienced sophomores. Wilson head coach Chris Gallo has said since last season that the team never discusses its youth. Sophomores in point guard Laila Jones, center Violet Houck, guard Laura Crocona, center Emma Williams, and guard Janai Tisdale each bring a different skillset to the court and gained valuable experience playing with each other as freshmen. Senior leader Jasilyn Moncada adds a steady presence. Freshmen sparkplugs Kailani Hardy and Ryan Leaman have come on as the season has progressed. The Bulldogs have been rolling all season with their only loss coming by six points to Dallastown, which finished the regular season 20-2. Wilson was one of three Berks Girls League teams to average 50 or more points per game while allowing 33 or less points with Wyomissing and Oley Valley.
How the Panthers got here: Defense, 3’s, and big win over Brandywine Heights. Schuylkill Valley’s loss to Wyomissing on Dec. 15 dropped the Panthers to 3-4. Senior guard Natane White was returning from an offseason knee injury and wasn’t at full health. Things started to pick up with a four-game winning streak including a 41-35 victory over Brandywine Heights, which ended up clinching the Panthers the Berks III/IV runner-up spot. A non-league loss to Oley Valley followed before another four-game winning streak. Then another loss to Wyomissing and a league crossover loss to Oley Valley before another four-game winning streak to end the season. The Panthers have hit the second-most 3’s in the league with Juliana Stichter (27), White (24), and CC Reali (20) all with 20 or more. SV has the fifth-best defense in the league and got a boost when sophomore 6-0 post Julia Lassandro returned from a concussion in early January.
Top Five Bulldogs Scorers: Jones (16.9), Houck (10.7), Crocona (6.0), Hardy (5.9), Williams (3.5).
Top Five Panthers Scorers: Stichter (14.0), White (7.8), Elyssa Sellers (7.6), Reali (5.0), Kalika Kauffman (3.9).
Last season’s Bulldogs: No. 3 seed lost to Wyomissing 43-35 in BCIAA semifinals.
Last season’s Panthers: No. 8 seed lost to Berks Catholic 49-32 in BCIAA quarterfinals.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Bulldogs (in last 10 seasons): 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Panthers (in last 10 seasons): 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019.
County championships by Bulldogs: Nine (2014, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2006, 2000, 1998, 1989, 1986).
County championship by Panthers: One (2005).
Bulldogs best win this season: 46-41 over Parkland (20-2) Jan. 3.
Panthers best win this season: 39-31 over Upper Dauphin (17-5) Dec. 12.
Winner plays: Berks Catholic or Exeter, Feb. 14 at Santander Arena.
