Girls: Scott gets defensive, O’Hara gets going to cruise past Springfield

Cardinal O'Hara's Annie Welde (43) is all smiles as Kristen Kutafaris (10) comes back to the bench Wednesday night late in O'Hara's 38-22 win over neighboring Springfield in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals. (Pete Bannan - MediaNews Group).

Cardinal O’Hara’s Annie Welde (43) is all smiles as Kristen Kutafaris (10) comes back to the bench Wednesday night late in O’Hara’s 38-22 win over neighboring Springfield in the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals. (Pete Bannan – MediaNews Group).

By Matt Smith

Cardinal O’Hara players remembered how tough Springfield played them in last year’s PIAA Class 5A tournament semifinal.

The teams met again Wednesday evening at Archbishop Carroll in the state quarterfinals. The Cougars didn’t shy away from the reigning state champions. They gave it everything they had, throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the Lions. For one half, Springfield was within striking distance.

At some point during the second quarter, senior guard Sydni Scott had had enough. So the Marshall-bound guard began to create havoc with her defense and get the Lions moving in transition. Ultimately, the Lions would overwhelm the Cougars and cruise to a 38-22 victory, but District 1’s third-place team never backed down.

O’Hara advances to the semifinals to play District 3 champion Mechanicsburg Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

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