Second-seeded Bulldogs clinch first PIAA berth in 6 years
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Sophomore Laila Jones scored 18 points and freshman Kailani Hardy had 14 to lead second-seeded Wilson past No. 10 York High 44-33 Thursday night in a District 3 Class 6A quarterfinal in West Lawn.
The Bulldogs (24-2) host No. 3 Central Dauphin, a 56-46 winner over No. 6 Manheim Township 56-46, in the semifinals Monday in West Lawn.
The district victory is the first for the Bulldogs since 2019 and clinched a spot in the PIAA Tournament. They last made the state tournament in 2018.
The Bulldogs were playing for the first time since seeing Wyomissing snap their 16-game winning streak in the BCIAA championship game last week.
Jones had six points in the first quarter as Wilson took a 9-3 lead.
Hardy had five points in the second quarter and Wilson’s defense continued to stymie York High; the Bulldogs led 19-10 at halftime.
Jones and Hardy combined for 11 of the Bulldogs’ 13 points in the third quarter but A’Shyia Smith’s two 3-pointers and Zykira McGee’s seven points kept the Bearcats in it; Wilson led 32-25 heading to the final quarter.
Smith hit two more 3’s in the fourth for the Bearcats (14-9); Wilson countered with six points from Hardy as it pulled away for the win.
The Bearcats upset No. 7 Central York in the first round. They’ll play at Manheim Township Monday in a playback semifinal. The winner clinches a state berth. The top seven teams in Class 6A qualify for states.
Hardy’s season-high scoring total is 18 points, against Muhlenberg.
