Dec 11, 2025 4 min read

By Jerin Steele

jsteele@observer-reporter.com

HOUSTON – A cold spell in the fourth quarter made the Chartiers-Houston girls basketball team have to sweat out the finish.

Even though the Bucs did not make a field goal in the fourth quarter, they built up enough equity through the first three to escape with a 55-46 victory over the Rangers in a nonsection game Thursday night.

After building a double-digit lead the Bucs saw Fort Cherry claw its way back to within five points, but the rally fell short.

Chartiers-Houston went 10 of 16 from the line in the fourth quarter.

“I would like to see us be a little more efficient in those situations, but we’re a very young team,” Chartiers-Houston coach Laura Montecalvo said. “We start one senior and four sophomores and all of our subs are freshmen. I thought it was a really great experience for them and they’ll learn from those mistakes. We were able to get it back together and get a win.”

Bella Bianchini hit a three early in the fourth to get the Rangers within 10 points for the first time since the midpoint of the second quarter.

After Wingard made one of two free throws, Julie Klose sank two free throws for Fort Cherry to cut the lead down to 46-39.

Bella Bianchini stole a ball at midcourt and went in for a layup to get Fort Cherry to 46-41.

After another miss, Brooke Cornali was fouled underneath while taking a shot, but was immediately called for a technical foul for shoving Kolovich.

Cornali made one of two free throws, but Aubri Rozanc made both free throws from the tech afterwards and the lead increased to 48-42.

Mackenzie Walsh made five free throws down the stretch to close out the game. She finished with 11 points. Ali Wingard had 17.

A nonsection game in December may not seem important, but a look back at last year’s playoff seeding will show why it can be.

The Chartiers-Houston girls basketball team dropped nonsection games to Fort Cherry and Winchester Thurston last season and it ultimately hurt their seeding when it came playoff time.

So, needless to say, the Bucs weren’t taking their game with Fort Cherry Thursday night lightly.

“We told the girls the importance of the game,” Montecalvo said. “Besides section play, the committee will look at head to head results out of section. It hurt us last year and we stressed that tonight mimicked a playoff game.”

With the win the Bucs improved to 5-0 on the season. Fort Cherry fell to 1-4.

The Rangers beat the Bucs 34-28 last season and got off to a good start Thursday.

Bella Bianchini’s second three-pointer of the first quarter gave Fort Cherry a 12-8 lead, but the momentum didn’t last.

Chartiers-Houston finished the frame on an 11-0 run to take control.

Wingard had three baskets in the paint, MacKenzie Walsh made a pair of free throws and Brooklyn Hess closed out the quarter by nailing a three-pointer in the final seconds, giving the Bucs a 19-12 lead.

Chartiers-Houston extended the lead into double digits in the second quarter with an 8-0 run. Hannah Russell came off the bench and hit a three- pointer. Ava Kolovich had a steal and score. Wingard made a layup while being fouled and canned the free throw for a three-point play to increase the lead to 28-16.

After Allison Litman made a shot inside for Fort Cherry, Sophie Palone responded for the Bucs with a three and Wingard made a shot at the buzzer to give the Bucs a 33-18 going into halftime.

“We came out in the first quarter attacking and then we went away from it in the second and that was the difference in the game,” Fort Cherry coach Clarence Edwards said. “If we maintain our attack the game is closer at the half we’re not digging out of a hole.”

Fort Cherry found a rhythm on offense in the third quarter. Brooke Cornali hit a pair of three pointers and Gianna Bianchini rattled in a three, which allowed the Rangers to get within 11.

Wingard had her second three-point play of the game and Mackenzie Walsh nailed a three and the Bucs led 45-34 after three.