In their pursuit of the title, Lansdale Catholic defeated Oakland Catholic and North Catholic in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively
The Lansdale Catholic girls basketball team has advanced to the PIAA-4A state championship game after a dominant victory over Forest Hills in the second round, winning 63-25, according to The Reporter.
After the win over Forest Hills, the Crusaders continued their impressive run through the state tournament, eventually reaching the final for the third time in four seasons.
In their pursuit of the title, Lansdale Catholic defeated Oakland Catholic and North Catholic in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, with strong defensive play, per the report.
The Crusaders held their opponents to low scoring throughout the tournament, showcasing their defensive prowess. The team's current head coach, Tom Lonergan, who took over after Eric Gidney’s retirement, has emphasized defense since joining the team, per the article.
The Crusaders’ focus on defense has been evident in their performance, allowing an average of just 29.5 points per game in the state playoffs.
Lansdale Catholic's offensive contributions have also been significant, with players like Sanyiah Littlejohn, Nadia Yemola, and senior Grace McDonough stepping up in key games.
According to the report, in their quarterfinal match against Oakland Catholic, Littlejohn scored 22 points, and Yemola added 10 points. In the semifinal against North Catholic, the Crusaders allowed only five points in the second half, with Littlejohn leading the charge with 24 points, according to the article.
The Crusaders' opponents in the championship game will be the Neumann-Goretti Saints, a familiar foe from the Philadelphia Catholic League. Neumann-Goretti has had an impressive season, including an undefeated PCL regular season and a Catholic League title, according to The Reporter.
The two teams previously faced off in January, where Neumann-Goretti narrowly won 58-54. The Saints are aiming for their sixth state title, and the matchup promises to be a competitive rematch for both teams.
After a disappointing 2023-24 season, the LC team rebounded under Lonergan's leadership.
This season marks the return of the Crusaders to Hershey, with hopes high that they can secure another state championship.
