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District 10 girls basketball playoffs: Slippery Rock can’t capitalize on fast start in Class 4A semifinal loss

MEADVILLE — Wednesday’s District 10 Class 4A girls basketball semifinal playoff could not have started any better for Slippery Rock.

Led by CJ Sabo’s eight points in the first three minutes and 45 seconds, the Rockets dropped a 14-0 run on a stunned Harbor Creek team.

But then, much like flipping a switch, execution became frustratingly difficult for Slippery Rock. Turnovers on eight of its next 11 possessions helped the Huskies rebound and trail by just three points by the end of the period.

Though the game was not decided until well into the fourth quarter, the Rockets were never able to recapture the momentum with which they opened the game in a 49-40 loss at Meadville High School.

The result snapped the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak.

“We wanted to do what we do best (play at a fast pace),” Rockets coach Jeff Steele said. “We did that early, but then Harbor Creek got a little handsy. There are times we bring the ball up the floor without dribbling at all, but tonight, we started to over-dribble.”

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Slippery Rock Brielle Jordan (10) fights for a loose ball with Harbor Creek Brooke Przybylski (2) in the District 10 Class 4A girls basketball semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Meadville High School. (Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

The Huskies penchant for creating turnovers took hold. Some were created off the dribble while others occurred while Slippery Rock players were stripped while holding the ball.

“It’s a unique ability a number of our girls have,” Harbor Creek coach Mark Corey said of his players’ quick hands. “We played a lot of tough non-region teams this year and have been down by a good amount of points in several games. Our girls did not lose their composure tonight.”

The Huskies (20-3) closed the first half with a 24-8 run and led 24-22 at halftime. All eight of Slippery Rock’s points in the second quarter came from junior Madison Romanovich. She gave Slippery Rock its final lead of the game, 27-26 with 5:38 left in the third quarter.

Harbor Creek guard Brooke Przybylski, who has over 1,500 points in her varsity career, put the Huskies up for good over a minute later before the Rockets were hit with a double punch to the gut.

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Slippery Rock CJ Cabo (3) grabs a rebound against Harbor Creek Alexis Janke (5) in the District 10 Class 4A girls basketball semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Meadville High School. (Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Sabo and Romanovich, who lead the team in scoring with a combined 33 points per game, both left the court — Sabo after drawing her fourth personal foul and Romanovich with a strained calf muscle.

Sabo returned at the start of the fourth quarter with the Huskies leading 37-31 and Romanovich re-entered the game with five minutes left, but the deficit had swelled to 43-33 by that point.

“With those two out, that took away a lot of firepower for us,” Steele said. “I give (Romanovich) a lot of credit for toughing it out and going back in,” Steele said. “I’m proud of our girls’ effort. We had the lead in the second half, but Harbor Creek’s guard play is phenomenal.”

Przybylski scored 14 points and Arianna Denning 17 for the Huskies.

Romanovich paced the Rockets (18-6) with 15 points and Sabo added 13.

Slippery Rock had already clinched a berth into the state playoffs. The Rockets will face Franklin, which lost to Fairview in the other semifinal, Saturday in a consolation game at a time and site to be determined. The matchup will determine third- and fourth-place in the district, with both heading to the PIAA tournament.

Slippery Rock CJ Cabo (3) has the ball ripped from her hands by Harbor Creek Alexis Janke (5) in the District 10 Class 4A girls basketball semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Meadville High School. (Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

SLIPPERY ROCK 40

CJ Sabo 5 2-4 13, Brielle Jordan 1 0-2 2, Gia Kovacik 2 0-0 4, Belle Miller 2 0-0 4, Madison Romanovich 4 7-11 15, Isabel Drake 1 0-0 2, Vanessa Hinkle 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 9-17 40.

HARBOR CREEK 49

Brooke Przybylski 5 2-3 14, Arianna Denning 6 3-4 17, Alexis Janke 1 4-4 6, Talon King 2 0-0 4, Elise Benim 2 0-0 4, Bailey Janukites 0 0-0 0, Jocelynn Bissell 1 2-2 4. Totals: 17 11-13 49.

Slippery Rock 14 8 9 9 — 40

Harbor Creek 11 13 13 12 — 49

3-point goals: Slippery Rock 1 (Sabo); Harbor Creek 4 (Przybylski 2, Denning 2).

Saturday: District 10 Class 4A consolation, TBD

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