Bulldogs face ‘tall task’ in order to reach District 3 championship game
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
The Wilson Bulldogs have won six District 3 girls basketball championships; they’re just one step away from playing for another.
To get back to Giant Center for the first time in 10 years they’ll have to get past one of the true blue bloods in the sport, Central Dauphin. The Rams have claimed eight titles, more than any big-school program in District 3 history.
The second-seeded Bulldogs (24-2) host the third-seeded Rams (23-2) Monday in a District 3 Class 6A semifinal at 7. The winner heads to Hershey Thursday for the championship, against either No. 1 Lebanon or No. 4 Dallastown.
The Bulldogs and Rams have combined for 14 district titles, all in the highest classification.
Wilson won titles in 2014, 2013, 2008, 2000, 1998, and 1997, the most recent coming when their current sophomores and freshman were just being introduced to the sport.
Central Dauphin won titles in 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2010, 2009, 2001, and 1975. Only Lancaster Catholic (20), defunct Lebanon Catholic (20), Trinity (17), York Catholic (13) and Camp Hill (10) have claimed more hardware among District 3 girls programs.
“It’s a great matchup,” fourth-year Wilson coach Chris Gallo said. “(Central Dauphin coach Randolph Gambelunghe) is a heck of a basketball coach. He’s been there forever. It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a tall task.”
The teams last met in the 2018 semifinals, which the Rams won 45-41 in overtime. They have met in championship games twice, with Wilson winning in 2013 and Central Dauphin in 2009.
“I think we’ve had two really good days of practice to get ready for them,” Gallo said. “And it’s nice they have to come to us.”
Those two days of practice consisted of the Bulldogs prepping for the man defense-heavy and balanced scoring attack of the Mid-Penn champion Rams, who last lost Jan. 21 to North Allegheny.
The Bulldogs plan to attack the Rams’ man-to-man defense with patience. Wilson hasn’t faced a ton of man recently, going up against zone-heavy teams such as Wyomissing in the Berks championship.
“I hope you’ll see us trying to be a little more patient,” Gallo said. “I think we’ve had a tendency to shoot some quick shots lately. We’ve been cleaning up our man-to-man offense. We’re going to try and run things a couple times and get them to rotate until things open up.
“That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to push like we normally do, but if nothing’s there I’m hoping we get into our secondary offense.”
The Bulldogs, who allow an average of 32 points per game, also plan to start out the semifinal game in man defense but can switch to a 2-3 zone if needed. The Rams run a motion-weave offense.
“We’ve worked really hard on how to defend it because they get downhill as well as any team we’ve played,” Gallo said. “It’s really, really unique. I attribute it to almost like watching Arena Football where the receivers can get a running start.”
Senior 6-0 forward Alexis Ferguson leads the Rams with an 8.8 scoring average and grabs 5.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore 6-0 forward Olivia Green (8.6 points, 9.7 rebounds), senior 5-4 guard Lauren Cavoli (7.3), sophomore 5-10 guard Kayla Fletcher (5.3), and sophomore 5-2 guard Syncere Matthews (4.8) make up the top five scorers.
Senior 5-8 forward Leah McGarvey and sophomore 5-10 guard Samantha Sembrot also play important roles.
“They have five or six solid players who share the basketball,” Gallo said. “They’re very good defensively. They strictly play man defense. From a team standpoint, it’s impressive the way they do things.”
The Bulldogs will counter with All-Berks sophomore guard Laila Jones (16.3 points, 50 3’s), sophomore 5-11 center Violet Houck (10.3), freshman 5-9 guard Kailani Hardy (6.5), sophomore 5-8 guard Laura Crocona (5.7), and senior 5-7 guard Jasilyn Moncada (3.2).
Sophomore 5-11 center Emma Williams, sophomore 5-5 guard Janai Tisdale, and freshman 5-6 guard Ryan Leaman will also likely get some spin.
It’s likely the 6-foot Ferguson defends the 5-7 Jones.
“She’s probably got four inches on Laila and length,” Gallo said. “She’s quick, too, so it’s going to be a different matchup (for Laila).”
Central Dauphin’s second loss came against Altoona in the sixth game of the season.
Wilson lost to Dallastown two days after Christmas and Wyomissing in the Berks Girls League championship two Fridays ago.
Wilson got back on track with a 44-33 victory over No. 10 York in the district quarterfinals Thursday. Central Dauphin defeated No. 6 Manheim Township 56-46.
York is one of two common opponents between the teams, along with Hempfield. The Rams beat York 53-42 and Hempfield 53-28. The Bulldogs defeated York twice, 58-41 and 44-33, and Hempfield 49-39.
Overall, Central Dauphin has gone 78-40 and Wilson 53-34 in the District 3 Tournament.
