EPC GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ESSENTIALS
No. 2 Easton vs. No. 1 Bethlehem Catholic
Time: 6 p.m.
Site: Joseph J. McIntyre Gymnasium (Freedom High School).
Tickets: $6 adults, $3 students, $3 senior citizens.
Records: Easton 21-3; Bethlehem Catholic 22-2.
Lehighvalleylive rankings: No. 3 Easton; No. 1 Bethlehem Catholic.
Previous meetings: 65-47 Bethlehem Catholic on Dec. 22, 56-37 Bethlehem Catholic on Feb. 3.
Possible Easton starters: Sr. G Gabby Bloshuk (11.4 points per game), Jr. G Kyla Smith, Sr. G Olivia George, Sr. F Shelby Stocker (8.3 ppg), Jr. F Leanna Deegan (9.2 ppg).
Possible Bethlehem Catholic starters: Fr. G Taliyah Medina (10.8 ppg), Jr. G Natalie Rhine, Jr. G/F Hope Brown (10.2 ppg), Sr. F Tessa Zamolyi, Sr. F Neila Luma (10.2 ppg).
The scoop: If Easton is going to win back-to-back league titles, they’ll need to turn in an entirely different performance compared to their previous two meetings with Bethlehem Catholic.
The Golden Hawks had their way with the Red Rovers during their regular-season meetings, with Medina posting a pair of 21-point performances (the biggest of her career to date). Becahi also stifled Easton’s offense in both games.
The Hawks, who were unbeaten in the EPC regular season, have done a good job executing their game plan and limiting the Red Rovers they’ve prioritized defensively. To that end, Easton might be without senior center Mackenzie Miers, who missed the semifinals due to illness, subtracting an offensive and defensive asset.
Prediction: Becahi separated from Freedom and Parkland in the fourth quarter during the previous two rounds of the tournament. Signs point to a closer clash with the Rovers on Friday night, but the Hawks have shown they have enough talent to answer the challenges that the EPC presents. Bethlehem Catholic, 62-55.
Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.
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