First Posted: 2/21/2014
CLARKS SUMMIT – Catie Nealon scored the first nine points in a decisive 13-point, fourth-quarter streak that carried Abington Heights past visiting Dallas, 42-26, in the first round of the District 2 Class AAA girls basketball tournament Thursday night.
Maggie Michael scored off a Sara Lojewski offensive rebound and assist 29 seconds into the fourth quarter to cut the Abington Heights lead to 28-23. The Mountaineers did not score again until Katy Comitz converted a three-point play with 52.8 seconds left.
Nealon scored on two drives, then hit a 3-pointer for a 35-23 lead with 3:40 left. She added two free throws and threw a lob pass to Breanna Toro for another basket. Nicole Getz completed the run with two free throws for a 41-23 advantage with 1:35 left.
“We didn’t box out,” Dallas coach Kelly Johnson said after her team was outrebounded, 50-29. “That’s been one of our weaknesses throughout the season.”
Nealon finished with a game-high 16 points. Toro added 10 points, 16 rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots.
Comitz had 11 points and 13 rebounds, nine more than any other Dallas player. She also made three steals.
Abington Heights led just, 16-14, until Nealon scored with 4.1 seconds left in the half and drew Samantha Missal’s third foul at the same time. With Missal sitting out to start the second half, the Lady Comets took control with eight straight points for a 26-16 lead.