Strong Saints Smash Weak Opponents, Secure Playoff Victory
LEHIGHTON — Holy Redeemer coach John Jezorwski knew it was the heartbeat and DNA of his team which powered them past Schuylkill Haven to the PIAA Class 3A semifinals on Friday night. “The DNA and the heart of this team is super special,” Jezorwski said. “This is the furthest we’ve gotten in the last 10 years before I started coaching here eight years ago.
” Schuylkill Haven (24-6) had trouble slowing down a potent Holy Redeemer (21-8) offense when they suffered a 51-36 loss in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals on Friday at Lehighton Area Elementary Center. * Schuylkill Haven’s Mckenna Runkle (10) goes in for two against Holy Redeemer’s Gillian Parsons (34) during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Mckenna Runkle (10) during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026.
Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Ava Terefencko (13) goes up for two during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Mckenna Runkle (10) is boxed in by Holy Redeemer’s Tessa Cegelka (2) during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Audrey Hutchinson (2) during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026.
Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Kylie Siket (3) shoots for three during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Audrey Hutchinson (2) en route to the basket during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo * Schuylkill Haven’s Mckenna Runkle (10) goes up for three during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026.
Submitted Photo 1 of 8 Schuylkill Haven’s Mckenna Runkle (10) goes in for two against Holy Redeemer’s Gillian Parsons (34) during the state quarter-final matchup against Holy Redeemer at Lehighton Friday evening March 13, 2026. Submitted Photo The Hurricanes kept up with Holy Redeemer most of the first half before the Royals ran away with a 16-1 scoring run around the halftime break to take a double-figure lead and never look back “Every girl on this team is important and it’s not just the three best girls, it’s one through 16 for us,” Jezorwski said. “It’s practices and the hard work, they all do the right things together.
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