Mar 24, 2007 2 min read

STATE COLLEGE- Ashley Gale scored 27 points, Brittany Gunn added 18 points and Cheltenham defeated Council Rock North 68-54 on Friday night to claim its first PIAA Class AAAA championship since 2000. Gunn made all nine of her field goal attempts and Misha Horsey added 11 points for the Lady Panthers (28-6).

Cheltenham scored the first 11 points of the game and never trailed.

Boys Class A

STATE COLLEGE – Sharp from the perimeter and sturdy in the paint – Reading Central Catholic’s impressive play earned the Cardinals a PIAA title.

Reading (29-4) drained key 3-pointers in the second half and leaned on senior center Colin Naugle to win the Class A championship 58-33 over DuBois Central Catholic.

Naugle, a beefy 6-foot-6 post player, used his formidable frame to control the inside. He backed in easily and grabbed almost every rebound within his reach, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Boys Class AAA

STATE COLLEGE – Drew Astorino hit a jumper from the foul line with 2 seconds left and finished with 18 points as General McLane defeated Greencastle Antrim 57-55 to claim the PIAA Class AAA title.

Both teams played a tense, wildly-entertaining game worthy of a state title. Lost in the last second hysterics was Greencastle Antrim impressive late comeback.

Girls Class AA

STATE COLLEGE – Crisp passing. Tenacious defense. Savvy veterans. No wonder York Catholic hasn’t lost a game this year.

They finished out this season in style, defeating Erie’s Villa Maria 58-44 to win their second straight PIAA Class AA title.

Villa Maria coach Scott Dibble stood up for his team, and took a shot at York.

“I think we can hang with them. I don’t believe in all the hype. They’re good, but they’re not that good,” he said.

“No disrespect when I said that, but that’s the way I feel. I feel our kids can compete with them any day any time.”