Berks girls quarterfinal preview: No. 3 Gov. Mifflin vs. No. 6 Oley Valley
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No. 3 Gov. Mifflin (14-8) vs. No. 6 Oley Valley (17-5)
How the Mustangs got here: Talented freshmen, senior leadership, bombs away from 3. Gov. Mifflin head coach Mike Clark started three freshmen throughout the season: Bella Super, Brooklyn George, and Bridget Martin. Behind the leadership of seniors Keira Estrada and Taylor Koenig, who won a BCIAA title as sophomores, the freshmen and the Mustangs got stronger as the season progressed. Mifflin finished the season winning 8-of-10 games after a 6-6 start. The Mustangs have hit 146 3’s this season with Koenig (58), Super (28), and Estrada (27) all in the top 10 of the league. The team has started to realize its potential but will have to overcome a Berks I opponent at some point to win county gold. Mifflin’s only losses since Dec. 14 have been to Berks Catholic, Reading High, or Wilson.
How the Lynx got here: Athleticism and chemistry. Oley Valley seniors Morgan Snyder, Ryanne Wheeler, and Dana Messner have been playing together since fourth grade. Morgan’s dad, head coach Kerry, has been on the sidelines coaching that group for most of the years since. None of them have been to a BCIAA Tournament; the last time the Lynx made it was 2019. Snyder is an All-Berks field hockey player and is headed to Penn State to play the sport after her senior year. Messner is an all-division softball player and committed to play at Wilkes. Wheeler is playing basketball and running track at Marywood. Junior Izzy Buehler is also an All-Berks field hockey player. The Lynx hope their suffocating defense, which allows the third-least points in the league, can neutralize Mifflin’s top-ranked offense.
Top Five Mustangs Scorers: Koenig (14.6), Super (11.6), Estrada (7.4), Martin (6.7), George (6.6).
Top Five Lynx Scorers: Snyder (16.0), Messner (9.1), Buehler (6.9), Wheeler (6.7), Wagner (4.3).
Last season’s Mustangs: No. 6 seed lost to Wilson 55-44 in BCIAA quarterfinals.
Last season’s Lynx: Did not qualify for BCIAA tournament.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Mustangs (in last 10 seasons): 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Lynx (in last 10 seasons): 2019, 2016, 2014, 2013.
County championships by Mustangs: 14 (2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2011, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1991, 1987, 1984, 1975, 1974).
County championship by Lynx: None.
Mustangs best win this season: 52-30 over Cedar Crest (13-9) Jan. 17.
Lynx best win this season: 52-32 over Schuylkill Valley (15-7) Jan. 2.
Winner plays: Wyomissing or Reading High, Feb. 14 at Santander Arena
