By Ben Destefan

 

Bob StolerGreencastle-Antrim's Jenay Faulkner (4) works around Conrad Weiser's Kiersten Ingram (43) and Derra Townes (23) during Friday's District 3-AAA girls' basketball third-place game at CD East High School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HARRISBURG — This was more like it.

Roughly 48 hours removed from a difficult loss in the semifinals, Greencastle-Antrim responded with a characteristic clinic from long range, making 15 total 3-pointers in a 66-46 rout of Conrad Weiser in Friday night’s District 3-AAA girls’ basketball third-place game at CD East High School.

The victory sends G-A (23-3) to the state tournament as the district’s No. 3 seed, receiving a first-round pairing against the runner-up from District 2 next Saturday. That opponent, site and time are all still to be determined.

Coming off a season-low seven points against Berks Catholic, Jenay Faulkner returned to superstar form Friday, burying seven 3’s en route to a game-high 23 points.

Five a Faulkner’s treys came in the first quarter, capped by a swish from just inside half-court to beat the buzzer, giving the Blue Devils a 26-10 lead just eight minutes in.

Hannah Crist and Meghan Hirneisen joined Faulkner in the barrage from downtown, both finishing with 16 points, including four 3’s for Crist and three by Hirneisen.

Morgan Wagaman was also involved in the onslaught, adding an early 3 while contributing seven points in the win.

Needless to say, G-A’s hot start created an uneventful finish, never truly being threatened after establishing a 40-21 advantage at the break.

“I didn’t really know how we were going to react,” Blue Devil head coach Mike Rhine said. “I knew they wanted to win, but there was somewhat of a letdown with not being in the championship, especially after being there last year. We came out, Jenay set the tone, and just played really, really well. I’m very proud of our effort tonight and how we bounced back.”

Quite simply — when they’re on, they’re on. Having set what’s being recognized as a girls’ state record with 16 3’s in a game earlier this month, G-A put together a similar display against a quality Conrad Weiser squad.

A total of eight 3-balls fell during the Blue Devils’ 26-point opening quarter, abruptly gaining a double-digit cushion that eventually grew to as many as 24 before halftime.

After a brief Scouts’ spurt cut the lead to 46-34 in the third, G-A answered with four consecutive makes from deep, producing a 12-0 run and a decisive margin to start the fourth.

Comfortably in command, Faulkner added the exclamation point by draining her seventh 3 of the night, allowing the Blue Devils to coast from there.

“We moved the ball well and shots were going in,” Rhine said. “It’s a good win that gives us some momentum heading into states. When we play like that, we feel like we can compete with anybody.”

Faulkner’s sensational evening also featured 13 rebounds while Hirneisen posted a double-double of her own, grabbing 12 boards.

For Conrad Weiser (15-11), TaCari Talford led the scoring with 19 points followed by 10 from Derra Townes. Despite the loss, the Scouts will still represent District 3 in the state tournament.

 

Bob StolerGreencastle-Antrim's Morgan Wagaman (10) controls the ball as teammate Hannah Crist (13) looks on during Friday's game against Conrad Weiser at CD East High School.