Knoch's Madilyn Boyer (33) drives to the hoop against Southmoreland's Gracie Spadaro. Knoch topped Southmoreland 56-45 in the WPIAL semifinals Tuesday at Gateway High School. Boyer contributed 27 points to the win. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

MONROEVILLE — For the first time in its history, the Knoch girls basketball team is set to appear in a WPIAL championship game.

By way of a commanding 56-45 WPIAL Class 4A semifinal victory over Southmoreland Tuesday night, the Knights punched their ticket to the Petersen Events Center.

Based off their immediate reaction, it hardly seemed like it. Maybe it’s because this group has become so accustomed to the unknown.

Before this one, no Knoch girls team had ever eclipsed 20 wins in a single season. The Knights (21-2) have reeled off 18 consecutive wins since starting with a 3-2 record. Last year, most of these same girls brought the program to the WPIAL semifinal round.

“They’ve done a lot of groundbreaking work,” Knoch coach Chris Andreassi said. “This is one more ground-breaking.”

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