Wilson to open District 3 tourney at home against York
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Second-seeded Wilson is set to host No. 10 York High tonight at 7 in the District 3 Class 6A quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs (23-2) had a first-round bye; the Bearcats (14-8) upset No. 7 Central York 40-33 in the first round Monday.
The winner faces either No. 3 Central Dauphin or No. 6 Manheim Township in the semifinals Monday on the home court of the higher-seeded team.
Wilson last played Feb. 16 in a 45-36 loss to Wyomissing in the Berks Girls League championship.
Sophomore and two-time All-Berks guard Laila Jones leads the Bulldogs with a 16.3 scoring average and 48 3’s.
All-Division sophomore center Violet Houck (10.4 points per game), guard Laura Crocona (5.9), center Emma Williams (3.2), guard Janai Tisdale (3.1), freshman forward Kailani Hardy (6.1), and freshman guard Ryan Leaman (2.3) produce the brunt of the young Bulldogs’ scoring.
Senior Jasilyn Moncada (3.2) is the lone upperclassmen to play in all 25 games.
Wilson head coach Chris Gallo’s Bulldogs have a stout defense which allows an average of 32 points; defense hasn’t been the problem in their two losses, against Dallastown and Wyomissing.
The Bulldogs average nearly 50 points per game but just 33 in their two losses. The defense was mostly consistent in those games allowing an average of 40.5 points.
The key tonight will be on the offensive end as the Bearcats also have a stingy ‘D’ that allows 35.4 points per game. York High scores 44.3 per game.
Senior 5-11 power forward Ciarra Gibbs, an Albright commit, leads the team with a 13.6 scoring average. Senior 5-7 guard Zykira McGee (8.9), junior guard Jayda Price (6.7), and senior 6-1 center Azyah Kirkland (5.1) are also scoring threats.
Wilson has won six district titles: 2014, 2013, 2008, 2000, 1998, and 1997. The Bulldogs appeared in the final in 2011, 2008, and 1985. Overall, they’ve gone 52-34 in the district tournament; their most recent win came in 2019.
York High has won one title in 1984 and appeared in another in 1987. The Bearcats have gone 24-24 overall in district play.
