Neumann Goretti Holds Off Scranton Prep, Returns to Hershey for 4A Championship
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | March 17, 2026 | Photo courtesy @scips_photography
In a high-stakes PIAA Class 4A Girls Basketball Playoffs semifinal showdown, reigning champions Neumann Goretti Saints punched their ticket back to Hershey with a hard-fought 59–51 victory over Scranton Prep Classics in the Final Four.
The Saints set the tone early, jumping out to a quick 4–0 lead behind standout guard Regina Baker, who accounted for Goretti’s first two baskets. Scranton Prep got on the board with a pair of free throws from Chloe Mamera, but Goretti responded with a three-pointer and another bucket to stretch the lead to 9–2 midway through the opening quarter.
Struggling to find rhythm offensively, Prep called a timeout with 4:44 left in the first. The break sparked a response, as Eva Kaszuba led a mini-run to cut the deficit to 9–6. Still, Baker continued her dominant start, scoring 8 of Goretti’s first 13 points. By the end of the quarter, the Saints held a 15–11 advantage, though momentum had begun to shift.
The second quarter proved challenging for Scranton Prep. Early turnovers allowed Goretti to extend its lead to 19–13, and despite Kaszuba down free throws to keep things within reach, the Saints built a double-digit cushion. With just over a minute remaining in the half, Goretti led 28–17 before Prep closed the gap slightly, heading into halftime down 28–20.
Coming out of the break, Scranton Prep showed renewed energy. They opened the third quarter on a 5–0 run to make it 28–25, with Kaszuba to lead the charge. The teams traded baskets throughout the period, and Prep pulled within two points at 35–33. However, each time the Classics threatened, Goretti answered. By the end of the third quarter, the Saints had regained control with a 44–37 lead.
In the fourth, Goretti maintained separation. The lead grew back to nine early and stood at 48–39 with just over five minutes remaining. Prep refused to go away, cutting the deficit to five late in the game. Meanwhile, Baker—despite battling foul trouble with three fouls—continued to deliver, finishing with a game-high 23 points.
Down the stretch, Scranton Prep was forced to foul to stop the clock. Kaszuba with 1:17 remaining to bring Prep within five at 50–45, but Goretti converted from the free-throw line to keep control. A pair of late foul shots extended the lead to eight with under a minute to play, sealing the outcome.
Scoring Leaders:Scranton Prep was led by Eva Kaszuba with 17 points, while Chloe Mamera added 15 and Fenton chipped in 11. McHale contributed 6 points in the effort. For Neumann Goretti, Regina Baker led all scorers with 23 points and was clutch at the line, going 10-for-12 on free throws. King added 12 points, while Coston finished with 11.
With the 59–51 victory, Neumann Goretti advances to the state championship game in Hershey, where they will look to defend their title and cap another remarkable postseason run. Scranton Prep, despite multiple comeback efforts and a strong performance from ,Kaszubasaw its season come to an end just one game shy of the finals.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter / X
YouTube
