The two remaining area basketball teams in the PIAA playoffs are back in action tonight. Both the Blairsville and Penns Manor girls have advanced to the high school version of the Elite Eight.
At Slippery Rock University tonight, 25-3 Blairsville faces off with 16-10 Reynolds of Mercer County, the number 2 team out of District 10. Look for a low-scoring affair as both teams like a slow tempo. Coach Ralph McGinnis says Reynolds is very similar to his Bobcats. Both teams like to control the ball and the clock.
Meanwhile, Jason Miloser’s 23-5 Penns Manor Comets travel to Bald Eagle Area High School for a matchup with 24-3 Minersville, a Schulykill County school that was runnerup in District 11. The Comets are the fourth place team out of District 6, which places them in the Eastern bracket.
The defending state champion, Minersville graduated six seniors from last year’s undefeated team, which knocked off Bishop McCort in the title game. This year’s version of the Battlin’ Miners is quite similar to Penns Manor, favoring high-pressure man-to-man defense and a trapping press.
You’ll hear the Blairsville/Reynolds game on Cat Country 106.3 FM beginning with the pregame at 5:30. The Penns Manor/Minersville broadcast begins at 7 o’clock on U92.5 FM. Both games are also on the TribLIVE High School Sport Network, with a direct link here and at each station’s website.
