Lebanon Catholic edges Mounts

Lebanon Catholic made a run early.

Ephrata made a run late.

Perhaps just a tad bit too late.

After her team erased a 16-point deficit, Ephrata senior Kenzie Horst couldn't get a putback attempt to fall with 13 seconds remaining as Lebanon Catholic escaped with a 41-38 victory in a Lancaster-Lebanon quarterfinal matchup in Ephrata on Monday night.

Horst's shot would have tied the score at 40. After it rattled inside the rim, it popped back out into the arms of a Lebanon Catholic player, ending the Mounts’ comeback, which took nearly all four quarters.

Lebanon Catholic jumped out to a 20-4 lead after the first quarter, during which the Beavers received two 3-pointers from senior guard Allison Warren. Both came from what appeared to be her favorite spot on the left wing. By the end of the first quarter, she already had nine of her game-high 19 points.

Meanwhile, the Mounts took nearly seven minutes before they had their first field goal, a layup by Kay Liebl.

"That was the difference in the game," Ephrata coach Mike Garman said. "You take away that first quarter and we are right there. Even with that, we still are right there."

Turning point: The Mounts utilized a 16-2 run of their own to start the fourth quarter.

Fueled by full-court pressure defense, junior Caroline Stauffer continuously jumped passing lanes to set up her teammates for good offensive looks. Most notably Horst, who led the Mounts with 18 points, seven coming in the fourth quarter.

Key statistic: After the Beavers’ 20-point first quarter, they were held to 21 points the rest of the way.

Up next: Lebanon Catholic will play Northern Lebanon in the L-L semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Lebanon.

The Mounts' loss frees them form a potential scheduling conflict with the District Three Class AAAA tournament. No. 19 seed Ephrata is scheduled for a preliminary matchup at No. 14 Cedar Cliff on Friday, with the winner earning the opportunity to face No. 3 Red Lion.

The final of the Lancaster-Lebanon League girls’ tournament will take place 7 p.m. Friday at Warwick or Annville-Cleona.

The Beavers, meanwhile, have a first-round bye in the District Three Class A tournament and will play the winner of No. 8 seed Dayspring Christian against No. 9 Greenwood at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Lebanon Catholic.

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