The Road to Hershey makes its final stop tonight at the GIANT Center and the Marion Center Stingers look to bring gold back to Indiana County as they look to dethrone the defending girls’ 2A champion Kennedy Catholic at noon.
This marks the second straight year a Heritage Conference team makes its way to the state championship game, as Homer-Center made it last year in 2A and River Valley in 3A. Before that, Indiana had made it twice in 1983 and 2010. This also marks the first time a Marion Center team has reached the state championship. The girls made it as far in the semifinals in both 1990 and 1993 but fell in those games.
On their way to the GIANT Center, the Stingers have taken down Winchester Thurston, Montrose, Marian Catholic, and Minersville, all of whom heil from the eastern side of Pennsylvania.
Kennedy Catholic has won the 2A state championship each of the last two years and have mowed past Fort Cherry, Portage, Bishop McCort, and Greensburg Central Catholic in this year’s state tournament. They’re led by six-foot forward/center Layke Fields who averages 20.3 points and 11.9 rebounds a game and is shooting 69 percent from the floor.
Stingers Coach Amy Trimble said that one of the things the team will be getting used to is having a noon tip-off, as it is different from the routine they’ve had in playing night games over the last few weeks.
Senior Lydia Miller said it’s a dream playing for the state championship, but it’s even better knowing that she can do it alongside her sister, Macie.
Junior Mollie Shadle said her team worked hard to get to the GIANT Center this season.
Coverage for today’s game begins at 11 AM on Cat Country 106.3 FM and CatCountry1063fm.com. Prior to tip-off, we will have conversations with Bob Greenburg, the Voice of Kennedy Catholic basketball on Sports Radio 96.7 FM in Hermitage; Marion Center Superintendent Clint Weimer; former Marion Center boys’ basketball coach and current Assistant Athletic Director Clint Weimer; Alison Seanor, a member of the 1993 Stinger semifinal team; and Coach Trimble.
You can also view exclusive coverage, including updates throughout the game, on our Cat Country 106.3 FM Facebook page.
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