Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Exeter’s girls basketball team has experienced a major turnaround. Last season, the Eagles finished (7-15) overall and went (3-8) in league play. Fast-forward twelve months and they’re headed to the BCIAA Championship Game for the first time since 1977. “Super proud, they play together. It’s a fun group to be around. They come and work hard at practice every day,” said head coach Derek Wolfe. Exeter upset second-seeded Gov. Mifflin 46-40 in the Berks County semifinals at Santander Arena. The (15-9) Eagles lost to the (17-6) Mustangs 65-43 one month ago. On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Mifflin was 5-of-14 from the foul line and managed just 16 points in the first half. “We told them we had to make it ugly to an extent and that’s what we came out and did,” explained Wolfe.
Neither team scored for nearly three minutes to begin the game. Exeter had a 8-7 edge after the first quarter. The Mustangs went scoreless for the first three minutes of the second quarter and fell behind 13-7. Brooklyn George and Bella Super hit back-to-back triples to even the score. However, the third-seeded Eagles ended the half on a 9-to-3 run. Addison Harper came alive with seven points in the second period. The 5’9 sophomore erupted for 20 points in a 47-36 quarterfinal victory over Twin Valley. Gov. Mifflin trailed 22-16 at halftime. The Mustangs only made five shots in the first half and four of them were from beyond the arc. Their 3-point shooting dried up over the final 16 minutes. They connected just once from long range in the second half.
A layup and a trey by Lillie Keperling put Exeter in front 31-23 with 3:20 left in the third quarter. The 5’7 senior forward made another layup for a 35-28 lead with seven minutes remaining. Mairead Dolan drained a jumper from the right wing which put Gov. Mifflin in a 39-30 hole with 5:36 to go. A bucket by Keperling gave the Eagles a 43-37 cushion with two minutes on the clock. Bridget Martin responded with a 3-pointer from beyond the NBA line. That shot pulled the Mustangs within 43-40 with 1:07 to play. They wouldn’t score again. Harper converted three of her four free throw attempts down the stretch as Gov. Mifflin’s five-game winning streak came to a halt.
Keperling, who averages 9 ppg., finished with a game-high 15 points. Considering the circumstances, it was one of the best performances of her career. “She’s had quite a few good ones, but it has to be in the top 5 for sure,” remarked Wolfe. Harper provided 14 points, including seven in the fourth quarter. Dolan and sophomore Chloe Dauble chipped in with six points apiece. Exeter was 3-of-5 from the foul line. The Eagles swished a trio of triples. Super and George led the Mustangs with eleven points apiece. Super was a third team All-State pick a season ago. The 5’7 junior reached 1,000 career points on January 6th. Martin had nine points for Gov. Mifflin. Longtime coach Mike Clark has four juniors and a sophomore in his lineup. Super, George, and Martin are all three-year starters.
Exeter now awaits top-seeded Wilson. The Bulldogs have won 14 consecutive games. They blew out the Eagles 67-36 on January 22nd. The BCIAA Championship is set for 6pm on Friday at Santander Arena.