Wed. Pa. girls' roundup: Cheltenham gains state berth

Cheltenham qualified for the PIAA state basketball tournament for the 27th time in the last 29 years by virtue of a 49-41 victory Wednesday night over visiting Downingtown East in the second round of the District 1 Class AAAA tournament.

Four players scored for Cheltenham, including Ciara Andrews, who made 7 of 8 fourth-quarter foul shots to finish with 20 points; Ming Seawright with 12 points and 11 rebounds; Christina Coleman with 9 points and 9 boards; and Giana Clark with 8 points and 9 rebounds.

Also in Class AAAA, North Penn handed host Methacton a 39-30 loss. Steph Knauer's 13 points and Lauren Crisler's 12 paced the Maidens, while Methacton's Kelsey Watson posted 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Mount St. Joseph got solid defense from Meg Geatens, while Alex Louin (13 points) and Bridget Higgins (10) provided most of the offense for a 36-27 win over visiting Central Bucks East.

Council Rock South used Alex Wheatley's 15 points, 13 rebounds, 7 steals, and 4 assists in a 66-37 success against visiting Central Bucks West. Alexis Hofstaedter added 17 points and 7 assists.

Public. Prep Charter whipped Engineering & Science, 59-34, in the league semifinals at Southern with Kahleah Copper's 28 points and 22 rebounds, and Ciana Cryor's 14 points with 10 boards.

Central battered Math, Civics & Sciences, 74-16. Symantha Marrero scored 9 of her 18 points in a 22-1 opening period, and Ranija McClinek scored 14 points.