Holy Redeemer Surging Into Final Four After Dominant State Playoff Run
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | March 14, 2026 | Photo courtesy Michael Eckrote
WILKES-BARRE — Just a few weeks after the sting of a district championship loss, the Holy Redeemer girls basketball team has flipped the script in a big way.
The Royals are heading to the PIAA Class 3A Final Four, riding a wave of momentum and confidence after a commanding 51–36 victory over Schuylkill Haven in the state quarterfinals Friday night.
Redeemer controlled the game from the start. The Royals jumped out early, taking a 16–12 lead after the first quarter, and steadily built their advantage with a balanced attack on both ends of the floor. By halftime they led 27–20, and a strong third quarter helped push the margin to double digits before closing it out late.
Senior standout McKenzie Chimock delivered a huge performance, pouring in 27 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Royals offensively. Her scoring punch helped Redeemer maintain control throughout the night.
She received plenty of support as well. Isabella Boylan added 8 points, while Gillian Parsons and Kira Millard chipped in 6 points each, giving Redeemer the balanced scoring it has leaned on throughout the postseason.
The victory continued what has become an impressive postseason surge for the Royals.
After falling in the District 2 championship, Redeemer has responded with one of the most impressive playoff runs in the state. The Royals have knocked off several strong opponents along the way, including wins over Loyalsock Township, Imhotep Charter, and Schuylkill Haven, showing resilience and growth with each game.
What once looked like a tough road after districts has turned into a Cinderella-style state tournament run for the Royals.
Now, Redeemer finds itself just one win away from the state championship game, with a semifinal matchup looming against Hughesville, another team that has made a strong push through the bracket.
For a team that could have folded after coming up short in the district title game, the Royals instead regrouped, refocused, and are now playing their best basketball of the season when it matters most.
And the dream is still alive.
With confidence growing and momentum fully on their side, Holy Redeemer’s remarkable postseason run continues into the PIAA Final Four.
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