Closing the regular season, the Tyrone Lady Eagles finished with an impressive 20-2 record. Their only losses coming from Bellwood (77-69) in double overtime, and Penns Valley (56-50) who earned a share of the league title in their second match-up of the season. Tyrone defeated Penns Valley earlier in the season 56-50, but had the help of senior Finnley Christine who was injured before they faced again.

Looking into the post season AA girls playoffs, Tyrone(20-2) earned the second seed behind Bishop McCort(22-1). Penns Valley sealed the third seed, followed by Central Cambria(4) and Bellwood-Antis(5). However, Tyrone is fortunate to avoid all the top-seeded teams until the semi-finals at the earliest.

“We are going to need to improve on protecting the basketball and rebounding,” Coach Rhoades answered when asked about what his team needs to work on.

Rival Bellwood-Antis, would have to play three completely perfect games, including knocking-off Bishop McCort, to see Tyrone anywhere in the bracket.

Tyrone boasts one of the top scorers in the area, Junior Kasey Engle who is capable of scoring in the high 20’s on any given night. However, the Lady Eagles are going to need to see their scoring balance out as they will continue to not have senior scorer Finnley Christine in their lineup. Other girls are going to need step up as teams will attempt to shut down Engle’s impressive scoring.

“I have a ton of confidence that we can make it the whole way, if we just relax and play our game,” added Engle.

Defending champions Bishop McCort will be the team to beat; their one loss coming from an upset from the Bedford Bisons, the last seed in AAA girls, in the last week in January.

Earning a first round bye, Tyrone will face the winner between Marion Center (7) and Cambria Heights (10) in the quarterfinals.

“We’re excited to see how well we play after being off for so long, we’re focused on the first round and the first round only but we all have that one ultimate goal; the district title,” Junior Alexis Cannistraci stated.

If Tyrone advances past the semifinals, they are looking at a Mountain League match-up with either Penns Valley or Central for a trip to the finals. Penns Valley has been playing pretty solid basketball lately, giving the Lady Eagles their second loss of the regular season. Central can be dangerous, but was unable to beat Penns Valley or Tyrone in the regular season.

District 6 AA girls could be said to be one of the toughest brackets in the area, but the Lady Eagles believe they deserve shot at the title; something that has happened only once or twice in history.

“The records means nothing now. Teams only earn their seeding from their records. Everyone is 0-0 going into the playoffs, and that’s how we look at it,” said senior Finnley Christine, “the girls need to go out and play their game, and there won’t be anyone that can stop them.”

The Lady Eagles will match up with the winner of Marion Center and Cambria Heights Friday night. The time and place are yet to be determined.