No. 2 Wilson (15-7) vs. No. 7 Schuylkill Valley (12-8)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wilson High School, West Lawn.
Previous matchups this season: None.
How the Bulldogs got here: Finding their groove, defending their Berks I title. Things started off shaky for Wilson this season as it tried to figure out its identity with All-Berks junior guard Laila Jones lost for the season due to a knee injury. The Bulldogs were coming off a Berks championship game and state playoff appearance, but dropped to 1-2 in Berks I and 2-4 overall after a loss to Gov. Mifflin on Dec. 16. Sophomores Kailani Hardy and Ryan Leaman took a huge leap in their development to lead the team in scoring; junior center Violet Houck returned to full strength after dealing with nagging injuries in the early going; juniors Laura Crocona, Emma Williams, and Janai Tisdale provided consistency; freshman Jade Lee made the most of her playing time; and the Bulldogs rattled off a 9-0 league and 13-3 overall record the rest of the way. The Bulldogs have the third-highest scoring offense in Berks at 50.2 ppg. Wilson's early struggles may have served as pivotal experience and key learning opportunities with early losses to Emmaus, which is 21-1 this season, and Philly powerhouse Cardinal O'Hara. Outside of the Bulldogs' Berks I gauntlet, they also played Cedar Crest (five-point win), Parkland (three-point loss), Dallastown (six-point win), Central York (four-point win), Lebanon (three-point loss), and Central Bucks East (29-point loss without Hardy). That's a gnarly slate and should have the Bulldogs prepared for the playoff season.
How the Panthers got here: Riding the waves, winning Berks III/IV runner-up berth. Schuylkill Valley has had a rollercoaster season. The Panthers have dealt with injuries, up-and-down shooting, and lots of highs and lows, but banked its fifth straight appearance in the BCIAA playoffs by virtue of a 37-35 victory over Brandywine Heights on Dec. 16 to claim the runner-up spot between Berks III and IV. Schuylkill Valley was initially seeded as the No. 8 seed before challenging and arguing to move up to No. 7, swapping with Oley Valley, since the Panthers defeated the Lynx 50-41 on Jan. 27. They won the challenge and now Wilson awaits in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row; the Bulldogs won 66-20 last season. A consistent throughout the season has been the Schuylkill Valley defense, which is No. 3 in the league allowing only 36.3 ppg. They've hit the fifth-most 3s (83) in Berks, with sophomore Hannah West, who transferred from Gov. Mifflin this season, leading the way with 32. Senior guard CC Reali does it all for Jason Bagenstose's Panthers and always finds herself around the ball. Junior guard Elyssa Sellers has a strong offensive game and has stepped into a primary scorer role after splitting time off the bench last season. Sophomore guard Hannah Yobb has taken on more responsibility and senior Taryn Rittenhouse has provided a little bit of everything, including 20 3s. Junior Amelia Falsone and senior Meghan Wickersham have provided sparks off the bench.
Top Five Bulldogs Scorers: Hardy (15.0), Crocona (9.5), Leaman (8.0), Houck (6.0), Lee (5.6).
Top Five Panthers Scorers: Sellers (10.5), West (10.2), Reali (5.6), Yobb (4.4), Rittenhouse (4.0).
Last season’s Bulldogs: No. 1 seed lost to Wyomissing 45-36 in BCIAA championship.
Last season’s Panthers: No. 8 seed lost to Wilson 66-20 in BCIAA quarterfinals.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Bulldogs (in last 10 seasons): 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Panthers (in last 10 seasons): 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019.
County championships by Bulldogs: Nine (2014, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2006, 2000, 1998, 1989, 1986).
County championship by Panthers: One (2005).
Bulldogs best win this season: 52-46 over Dallastown (20-2) Dec. 23.
Panthers best win this season: 38-31 over Eastern York (12-10) Dec. 18.
Winner plays: Gov. Mifflin or Twin Valley, Feb. 12 at Santander Arena.
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