Greencastle-Antrim turns attention to playoffs, Gettysburg

By Ben Destefan

 

GREENCASTLE — Following this week’s tuneup, the Greencastle-Antrim girls’ basketball team turns its attention to Tuesday’s must-win District 3-5A playoff game at Gettysburg.

 

As Mid-Penn Colonial Division champs, the Blue Devils participated in Wednesday’s semifinals of the Mid-Penn Conference tournament, ultimately falling to Trinity 58-35.

 

Although on the wrong end of the scoreboard, G-A head coach Mike Rhine liked what he saw from his squad against a perennial power, perhaps gaining some confidence ahead of next week’s tall order.

 

“I was very pleased with how we played,” Rhine said of the performance against Trinity. “They are a really good team and we were right there with them in the third quarter, getting it to eight (point deficit). I think it gave our girls a nice boost of confidence, realizing they can hang in there with these teams. That’s what we’ll need to do against Gettysburg, keep battling and give ourselves a chance.”

 

It’s no secret that the Blue Devils (14-7) will be heavy underdogs to the Warriors (19-5), entering Tuesday’s tilt as the No. 14 seed trying to upset No. 3. As the higher seed, Gettysburg also hosts the first-round game, with tip set for 7 p.m.

 

Still, a few strange bounces and a strong shooting night could make things interesting.

 

“They’re a well-balanced team and the No. 3 seed for a reason,” Rhine said of Gettysburg. “They have good guards, size and can shoot the 3. We’ll try to mix it up and throw some different stuff at them. We need to play like we have nothing to lose and let it all out there.”

 

Headlining Greencastle’s upset effort will be senior Lydia Crist, who leads the Blue Devils averaging 10.2 points per game.

 

McKenna Rakaczewski and Sayge Wilhide give G-A two more very capable scoring options, as both Rakaczewski and Wilhide are averaging more than seven points per game.

 

If the trio of Crist, Rakaczewski and Wilhide can collectively heat up from beyond the arc, the Blue Devils should be able to hang around.

 

Inside, Ashley True serves as Greencastle’s always-aggressive presence, while Madison Sweitzer just led the Blue Devils with 10 points against Trinity.

 

“We have to go in knowing that this is not some predetermined outcome, make them play us, and if it goes that way, make them beat us,” Rhine said. “I want our girls to battle the whole way, keep fighting and then maybe we look up with three minutes to go and we’re right there. Then, anything can happen.”

 

The real test is going to be whether or not G-A can somewhat contain Gettysburg’s wealth of weapons.

Coached by Rhine’s friend Jeff Bair, the Warriors enter with several girls averaging double figures, paced by Cheyenne Proctor, Anne Bair and Taylor Richardson.

 

“Our girls are familiar with their girls because they play a lot of summer basketball together,” Rhine explained.

 

“Jeff and I communicate all the time as well, so it’s kind of cool it worked out this way.”

 

Tuesday’s winner will face the winner of No. 6 South Western and No. 11 Elizabethtown in next Friday’s quarterfinals.

 

The top eight finishers in Class 5A also advance to the state tournament, meaning a win Tuesday punches a ticket to the PIAA Championships.