WPIAL 2A Girls Championship Preview: Greensburg Central Catholic vs. Serra Catholic

The Centurions last captured a WPIAL championship in 2007

Thu Feb 29, 2024 - 2:41PM

Sean Meyers Sean Meyers

Last Updated: Fri Mar 01, 2024 - 2:35AM

WPIAL Class 2A Girls Championship – Thursday 7 p.m. Petersen Events Center

No. 3 Serra Catholic Eagles (21-4) vs No. 1 Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (19-6)

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About the Eagles: Serra Catholic outlasted No. 2 Aliquippa 42-36 in the semifinals on Saturday at Mount Lebanon High School. In that contest, the Eagles held the Quips to single digits scoring in each of the first three quarters. Offensively, sophomore Abby Genes was the only player in double figures for Serra, as she posted 13 points. Prior to that win, Serra scored lopsided wins against No. 11 Winchester-Thurston and No. 14 Brentwood. All five starters for the Eagles average at least 9 points, led by Genes at 15.2 points per contest. Seniors Bri Battles and Cate Clarke, who are both receiving Division III college interest, have produced scoring averages of 12.6 and 10.5 points, respectively. Serra is under the guidance of first-year coach Mike Voit, who was previously a head coach in the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese and also runs an AAU program. The Eagles have won eight games in a row. For the season, they have outscored their adversaries by an average of 62.8 – 36.9.

About the Centurions: Greensburg Central Catholic cruised to a mercy-rule in the semifinals, blasting No. 12 Side Side Beaver 73-38 at Peters Township High School on Saturday. Sophomore Erica Gribble exploded for 26 points in the triumph, while Mya Morgan added 22 points. The Centurions also overmatched No. 9 Rochester 63-41 in the quarterfinals, and steamrolled Northgate 77-10 in the first round. Gribble, a sophomore with Division I offers, paces the team in scoring, while seniors Morgan and Avery Davis are also offensively gifted. Morgan is committed to Cal U, Davis has pledged to Wheeling University, and senior Cara Dupilka is a Saint Vincent College commit. Head coach Chris Skatell is in his third year at the helm of GCC. Greensburg Central Catholic lost six games, but the four losses to WPIAL opponents came against teams that reached at least the semifinals in Class 4A, 5A, and 6A. The Centurions have outpaced their foes 61.6 – 38.2 on average this campaign.

About the Matchup: Both teams reside in Class 2A Section 3, with the Centurions sweeping the regular-season series. In the first meeting at Serra Catholic, GCC prevailed 66-53. Less than four weeks later, Greensburg Central Catholic defended its home floor with a 59-47 victory. The Centurions have claimed five WPIAL titles, with the most recent coming in 2007. Similarly, Serra Catholic boasts four WPIAL crowns, most recently in 2005.