Spartans, Bulldogs enter BCIAA girls semifinals riding hot streaks
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Wyomissing and Wilson are churning right along.
The second-seeded Spartans have won five in a row, the third-seeded Bulldogs six straight, as they meet in a BCIAA semifinal Tuesday at 7:30 at Santander Arena. They’ll be the second game of a doubleheader and follow Berks Catholic and Reading High.
The Berks III champion Spartans aim to get back to the county final for the second time in three seasons. They lost 55-45 to Berks Catholic in 2021.
The Berks I runner-up Bulldogs hope to return to the county final after appearing last season, in a 47-34 loss to Gov. Mifflin. They’re looking for their first title since 2014.
It’s the first matchup between the Bulldogs and Spartans this season, but they share five common opponents: Conrad Weiser, Muhlenberg, Daniel Boone, Bishop McDevitt, and Exeter.
Neither team was threatened by its Berks common opponents; both lost to Bishop McDevitt, which defeated Wilson 46-33 on Dec. 30 and Wyomissing 48-45 on Jan. 21.
Unlike Berks Catholic and Reading High, which feature balanced scoring attacks, Wyomissing and Wilson’s top players are no secret.
Wyomissing sophomore and Division I recruit Amaya Stewart is averaging 15.0 points per game. Wilson freshman Laila Jones scores at a 13.4-point clip. Both play on high-level AAU squads in the offseason; Stewart plays for Philly Rise EYBL and Jones for K-Low Elite.
Stewart scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked five shots in the Spartans’ 59-26 blowout of Exeter in the quarterfinals.
Jones had 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds to lead the Bulldogs to a 55-44 win over defending champ Gov. Mifflin in the quarterfinals.
Limiting those two will be the main objective and key in deciding who will face the Berks Catholic or Reading High for county gold.
The Spartans have a strong sophomore class behind Stewart with speedy point guard Alexis Hardy (8.4 points per game) and defensive menace Audrey Hurleman.
All-around junior forward Annie McCaffrey scores 7.5 per game and senior shooter Lexi Loeb averages 6.8 points. Loeb has hit 49 3’s, second-most in Berks. Senior Maddie Campbell and junior Abby Zechman are key contributors who settle the game down when needed.
The Spartans have the highest scoring offense and allow the fewest points among the semifinalists.
Wilson has a strong freshmen class behind Jones and has received a boost with the return of Violet Houck, a 5-10 center who returned Jan. 23 from a dislocated kneecap suffered in the fourth game of the season. She will be key in guarding Stewart and securing rebounds.
The Bulldogs are 6-1 and have boosted their scoring average by nearly 13 points since Houck’s return; she has averaged 9.7 points this season.
Houck scored 16 points and fellow freshman Laura Crocona had 11 in Wilson’s quarterfinal victory over the Mustangs. Crocona is Wilson’s third-leading scorer at 6.7 points per game.
Junior guard Jasilyn Moncada contributes 6.5 points per game and is a key defender. Guard Janai Tisdale-Aviles and forward Emma Williams have also contributed as freshmen. Senior forwards Elyse Robinson and Sarah Asplen will also likely have a hand in attempting to slow down Stewart.
Wilson allows the second-fewest points — behind Wyomissing — out of the four remaining teams. If the Bulldogs’ improving offense can crack the Spartans’ stingy defense there’s no reason they can’t get back to the championship.
Wyomissing will be headed to the District 3 Class 4A Tournament as the likely No. 3 seed regardless of this game’s result; Wilson’s season is likely over with a loss since its power ranking is No. 13 in District 3 Class 6A; the top 12 qualify.
