Berlin Brothersvalley wins 2nd straight District 5-1A championship in convincing fashion

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP — Top seeded Berlin Brothersvalley blanked Northern Bedford in the first quarter of Saturday's District 5 Class 1A girls basketball championship and rolled to its second straight crown with a 51-18 victory at Pitt-Johnstown.

"We've been working on it more than just a week," said Berlin coach Rachel Prosser of her team's stingy defense. "We had to up our communication and the girls did a really good job of that."

Berlin (21-5) bewildered second-seeded Northern Bedford at both ends of the floor. Senior Regan Lauer tallied eight of her 10 points in the first quarter.

5 and counting Berlin captures 5th straight District 5-1A title with commanding win over Turkeyfoot

The Mountaineers led 17-0 after one.

Back-to-back threes by freshman Coral Prosser, who recorded a team-high 12 points, gave the Mountaineers a 23-0 advantage in the second.

Northern Bedford (15-9) did not get on the board until 5:04 remaining in the second on a 3-point play by Mariah Hall, who finished with 12 points in the contest.

Berlin continued to pour it on in the second, including six points from senior Taylor Hillegass. The Mountaineers held a 37-5 lead at the break.

"It's super exciting," Hillegass said of the title victory. "I feel that this really set the tone. We played great defensively, and our buckets fell offensively."

All 16 of Berlin's dressed players saw title game action. The Mountaineers recorded 18 points off the bench, something that could benefit Coach Prosser's squad in the PIAA playoffs.

"The more experience everybody can get ‒ even if they played all year ‒ when you're young, it's a whole different game when you're into playoffs and state playoffs," Prosser said. "The more experience everyone can get, confidence they can build, that will help us moving forward."

Berlin will take on the District 9 No. 4 Clarion Area to open the state playoffs on Saturday. After advancing to the PIAA Class 1A semifinals a season ago, the Mountaineers are ready for another deep postseason run.

"Definitely the state championship is our goal," Hillegass said. "We just look at one game at a time and work hard every game."

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 shellacs Northern Bedford in District 5-1A title