BCIAA Quarterfinal Preview: No. 1 Wilson vs. No. 8 Kutztown
- Sean McBryan
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
No. 1 Wilson (20-2) vs. No. 8 Kutztown (14-8)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wilson High School.
Previous matchups this season: N/A.
How the Bulldogs got here: Depth, talent, and a spotless Berks I record with the return of senior guard Laila Jones. Wilson has won 12 straight games after losing to Dallastown three days before Christmas. They are the favorites to win the Berks crown, which would be their first since completing a threepeat in 2014. The Bulldogs have appeared in the championship game thrice since in 2017, 2022, and 2024. Jones (12.2 ppg, 50 3s), junior Kailani Hardy (12.2 ppg, 26 3s), senior Laura Crocona (7.8 ppg, 26 3s), sophomore Jade Lee (7.3 ppg), senior Violet Houck (7.1 ppg), junior Ryan Leaman (6.8 ppg, 21 3s), and senior defensive specialist Janai Tisdale give head coach Matt Raquet a bunch of versatile lineup options. Houck hasn't played in the past two games and won't play in the quarterfinals because she is on a school trip, but is expected to be back for the semifinals if the Bulldogs advance. Her younger freshman sister, Lila Houck, and fellow freshman Mariam Osumanu have carved out roles off the bench. The Bulldogs have the top offense in Berks at 58.8 ppg and the third-best defense allowing 34.0 ppg. They've hit the most 3s in the league with 139. Wilson's only two losses have come against Dallastown and Cardinal O'Hara. The Bulldogs fell to Gov. Mifflin in the BCIAA semifinals last year before making it to the district quarterfinals and the second round of states.
How the Cougars got here: Stingy defense and a burgeoning core. The signs were there in head coach Jessica Plisko's inaugural season last year when Kutztown improved its record from 3-19 to 10-12. Now, the Cougars are back in the BCIAA playoffs for the first time in 15 years. More signs were there over the summer when top scorers in juniors Kaitlyn Houptley (11.1 ppg) and Riley Derstine (9.6 ppg) were on the court working on their games during Wyomissing's summer league. The Cougars topped the Spartans back when it was warm, and then beat them during the regular season, which secured the playoff spot due to the Berks III-IV crossover head-to-head advantage. Houptley and Derstine are flanked by senior Jayden Gehris (5.4 ppg), junior Jade Fitzgerald (5.2 ppg), junior Ava Kutz (4.3). Senior Emme Sanders has also played in every game this season and is first off the bench. The Cougars have the No. 1 defense in Berks allowing only 30.4 ppg. They score 40.4 ppg on offense. Kutztown has won three Berks titles (1985, 1983, 1982) and appeared in five championship games including 1989 and 1986.
Winner plays: Reading High or Schuylkill Valley, Feb. 11 at Santander Arena.