"Marian Catholic Stuns Elk Lake with Late Surge, Advances to PIAA Elite 8"
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | March 11, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
PIAA State Playoffs: Marian Catholic Outscores Elk Lake in Thrilling 2nd Round Matchup
The second round of the PIAA State playoffs took place at Berwick High School, where Elk Lake hosted a highly anticipated matchup against Marian Catholic. Both teams battled fiercely, but it was Marian Catholic who came out on top in a hard-fought 47-45 victory, advancing to the Elite 8.
The game started slow, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The first quarter was a defensive battle, and at the end of the period, Marian Catholic led by just one point, 7-6. Elk Lake took control in the second quarter, going on a strong run and heading into halftime with a narrow 23-22 lead.
Coming out of the locker room after the break, Elk Lake seemed ready to put the game away. They went on an offensive surge in the third quarter, scoring 18 points and building their biggest lead of the night at 41-34. However, Marian Catholic wasn’t done yet. The team regrouped during the break and came out firing on all cylinders.
Marian Catholic made some crucial adjustments in the fourth quarter, holding Elk Lake to just four points while their own offense came alive. They scored 13 points in the final frame, with key plays coming from senior Olivia Serfass, who led the way for Marian Catholic with 15 points. Deanna Pugh contributed 12 points, while Addy Fritz added 8, including a couple of key three-pointers.
What stood out in this game was Marian Catholic’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc. The team hit 10 three-pointers on the night, providing a significant boost to their offensive attack. Elk Lake struggled to match that perimeter shooting, and despite a game-high 23 points from Leah Traver, the team couldn’t keep up with Marian Catholic’s balanced scoring.
In the end, Marian Catholic held on for a 47-45 win, earning their spot in the Elite 8 of the PIAA State playoffs. Elk Lake's valiant effort came up just short, but the team showed resilience and played hard until the final buzzer.
Marian Catholic’s performance was a testament to their composure and ability to adjust when needed, especially in the second half. With their sights set on the next round, they’ll look to continue their strong run in the state playoffs.
