Pequea Valley came up short in its L-L League opening-round playoff game with Lampeter-Strasburg on Thursday, February 10. In a match played at Warwick, the Pioneers used a stingy third quarter to gain an eight-point edge heading into the final period. The Pioneers (14-8) prevailed by a 46-36 score.

"We played well during the first half when the game was up-tempo," said Jason McDonald, the Braves' head coach. "As the tempo slowed down, it favored L-S.

"Except for that third quarter, we played well," continued the coach. "We had 11 turnovers in the third."

The Braves were down by only three points with 6:30 to play. The Pioneers hit a pair of key three-point baskets.

"They made a few plays down the stretch that we didn't make," McDonald said. "I was extremely proud of our group - their work ethic and their effort in this game."

Katie Stoltzfus scorched the net with three-point baskets five times to earn her game-high 15 points of the night. She also grabbed three rebounds. Sarah Arment added seven points plus an assist.

Jenna Daveler led L-S with 12 points.

Shania Stoltzfus, who dished out three assists, and Rebecca Cox each pulled down 10 rebounds for Pequea. Bre Beiler, who had seven rebounds, scored four points, as did Deena Stoltzfus and Shania Stoltzfus.

Pequea Valley's season continues into the District Three Class 3A playoffs. The Braves (12-10) will play host to Upper Dauphin. The Trojans (13-9) come in as the sixth seed visiting number three seed Pequea.

"We are home and we're expecting a competitive game," McDonald said. "Our goal is to make it to states, so we need to win the district opener to complete that goal as well as put ourselves in a position for a district championship. We have put ourselves in a great position.

"Our goals this year were to make leagues, districts and states," added the coach. "So far, we've completed two of those three goals. When we play our game, which is playing hard and fast, we are extremely hard to beat."

BOYS' BASKETBALL

The Braves made it a close game on Friday night, February 11 as they visited Brandywine Heights for a non-league game that closed out the 2021-22 season. The boys' basketball team's overall record concluded at 4-18 as Pequea Valley lost the match 56-51.

"It was a close game against a team that did qualify for districts," Pequea Valley coach Thad Rittenhouse said.

The Bullets did make districts, heading into the District Three Class 3A playoffs as the sixth seed.

The Braves were coming off another impressive outing the previous week - a 51-38 setback with non-league foe Kutztown.

"Last two games were better for us - our guys played with a mental and physical preparation," said Rittenhouse. "They knew we were down to our last couple of games.

"We've also been getting help all year from our underclassmen, who've done very well," continued the coach. "The upperclassmen, especially these last two games, gave it their all."

Against the Bullets, the Braves were able to get some good looks according to Rittenhouse.

"We didn't get a lot of pressure bringing the ball up the court," he explained. "

Senior Nevin Stoltzfus, the only Pequea player to eclipse 200 points on the year, led the Braves in scoring with 22 points Friday night. He buried four three-point jump shots.

Colbee Davies connected on two three-point shots and finished with 11 points while Sam Arena scored nine.

"Nevin had a nice game offensively," said Rittenhouse. "Cam Beiler has been a solid rebounder for us and leads the team in that category. Dylan Knott has been doing a good job on the boards too."

The Braves jumped out to a 21-12 lead only to see the home team go on a 12-4 run in the second stanza. It was 25-24 Braves at halftime.

"I was very proud of the boys," Rittenhouse said. "We came out strong and had a great first quarter. Offensively we did not have a good second quarter, missing a few shots. We had a couple of turnovers as well, which hurt us toward the end of the game."

Leading by only a point heading into the fourth quarter, the Bullets managed to hang on for the narrow margin of victory.