March 25, 2021

8th graders win state championship

The Upper St. Clair Athletic Association’s eighth grade girls travel basketball team placed first in the third annual Pennsylvania State Youth Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 21, 2021, in State College.

Team members include Meredith Huzjak, Rylee Kalocay, Ava Coyle, Olivia Terlecki, Essence Dreher, Anna Capobres, Peyton McGregor, Emily Powell and Carlee Santel. The girls are coached by Ryan Huzjak and Johnny Terlecki.

The Upper St. Clair team defeated Indiana, 72-11; Montgomery, 49-12; Pikes Peak, 57-23 in the semifinals; and Mt. Lebanon, 38-34 in the finals.

The girls began playing basketball together in 2018, when they were in fifth grade. Throughout the last four seasons, the team boasts five league titles and 11 tournament championships with an overall record of 130-3.