Kennedy Catholic girls basketball team scores winner in final seconds, repeats as state champions
HERSHEY – Junior sensation Layke Fields scored in the final seconds to lift Kennedy Catholic to a 42-40 win over Marion Center in the PIAA Class 2A girls basketball championship on Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Kennedy Catholic also won the PIAA 2A title in 2023 giving the Golden Eagles back-to-back titles and third overall. Kennedy finished the season 25-4, while Marion Center, making its first trip to the state final, finished the year 24-6.
Kennedy led just 21-18 at the half before Marion Center went on a 15-7 run in the third quarter to take a 33-28 lead.
The Stingers held a 40-34 lead with 4 minutes left after Lydia Miller knocked down two free throws, but Kennedy Catholic responded with an 8-0 run to win the game.
Bella Magestro drilled a 3-pointer before Fields scored inside to make it 40-39. After Marion Center missed several free throws, Fields gathered her own miss with four seconds left to score and was fouled. She made the free throw to give the Golden Eagles a 42-40 lead. The Stingers then turned it over on the inbounds pass to end the game.
Fields led the way with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Magestro had five points and nine assists. Miller had 18 points for Marion Center and Mollie Shadle added 11.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: PIAA 2A girls basketball: Kennedy Catholic wins second straight title
