Berlin Brothersvalley avenges loss to Williamsburg, earns Inter-County Conference title
CLAYSBURG — Berlin Brothersvalley needed contributions from everyone in its lineup if it was going to knock off 3-time defending Inter-County Conference champion Williamsburg in the girls' title game on Saturday.
After a narrow setback to the Pirates in the regular season, the Mountaineers turned the tides and captured a 60-47 victory to earn their first conference crown.
"Our group is all about teamwork," said Berlin coach Rachel Prosser. "We're still working on improving in every area, but as a team, we knew we had to keep our heads and stay together. They did a good job of that."
Freshman Coral Prosser led the Mountaineers with a game-high 16 points. Seniors Regan Lauer and Taylor Hillegass contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Hillegass drew a difficult assignment against 6-foot-2 Williamsburg freshman Levada Gorsuch. While Hillegass was at a height disadvantage, she, among others, flustered the freshman throughout the contest and held her to 13 points.
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"This is exciting," Hillegass said of the title. "When we played them at the beginning of the season and lost, we knew we had to come back and get them. We played well together as a team."
Seven of Berlin's eight players who saw significant minutes tallied points.
Berlin (19-5) was clinging to a 15-13 lead after one quarter. Neither team held more than a 4-point advantage in the frame. Lauer knocked down a three to give the Mountaineers the lead late.
The game was called tightly. A total of 36 fouls were issued in the contest. There was no flow to the game in the first half.
Williamsburg (22-2) did not manage a field goal in the second quarter. Berlin held its largest lead of the game 22-14 on a bucket by Elsie Barna, who scored four of her nine points off the bench in the second.
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Berlin led 24-18 at the break.
The Mountaineers took control of the contest in the third. After Williamsburg cut the deficit to three, Lauer drilled a triple from the top of the arc. A foul was called on the floor while the shot was in the air. Barna scored on the next possession, before Williamsburg coach Amy Hileman was assessed a technical foul. Prosser made both technical free throws and then found freshman Elena Ritchey underneath for a bucket on the ensuing possession. While Ritchey was unable to convert the old-fashioned 3-point play, the Mountaineers built a 37-25 advantage.
Berlin closed the third on a 7-2 spurt and owned a commanding 47-32 lead.
The Mountaineers cashed in at the charity stripe all game, finishing the contest 19-for-27 to clinch the title.
"We went into practice all this week really wanting to get this win," Lauer said. "Losing last time, we wanted this win, so we pushed each other in practice and came out here today ready to play.
"It's not all about scoring points at the end of the day. Good defense leads to good offense. It all starts on the defensive end."
Berlin is the defending District 5 Class 1A champs. The Mountaineers advanced to the PIAA semifinals a year ago. They will not play another game until Feb. 28. However, the new-look Mountaineers are prepared for what lies ahead.
"This was an excellent game for us," Coach Prosser said. "Two bonus games are only going to help us going forward. We came out with a win today and I couldn't be any prouder."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X (Twitter) @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin Brothersvalley staves off Williamsburg for Inter-County title
