Mar 28, 2025 By Jerin Steele 5 min read

Before the South Fayette girls basketball team left for the state championship two years ago, Lions coach Bryan Bennett received a text from a fellow coach telling him to enjoy the experience and take in every moment.

He doesn’t feel he followed the advice too well.

“I was so wrapped up in trying to win last time, and don’t get me wrong I still am this time, but looking back that was something I didn’t do,” Bennett said.

That’s what Bennett and his Lions want to do this time when they travel to Hershey to play four-time defending champion Archbishop Wood in the PIAA Class 5A championship 6 p.m. Saturday at Giant Center.

Take it all in and make some memories.

Don’t mistake that for not having the expectation of competing for a win, however.

If the Lions do win, it’ll be the first state championship in program history.

“We will obviously be worked up and aiming to win,” Bennett said. “We have gone through our preparation like we would against any opponent, but we’re going to make sure we enjoy the time with the kids and make sure the kids enjoy everything about it, because they have worked so hard to get there.”

There are a few activities planned once they arrive in Hershey.

First is a trip to Chocolate World.

After that they’re going to Giant Center to support their friends on the Upper St. Clair girls basketball team in the Class 6A final against Perkiomen Valley.

When it’s South Fayette’s turn to take the court on Saturday it’ll be against one of the preeminent programs in the state.

It’s a rematch of the 2023 state final, which Archbishop Wood won, 61-54.

Archbishop Wood (22-7) has made it to the state championship game 13 times in the last 16 years. One of the three years they didn’t make it was the 2020 season when the state playoffs were halted because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Vikings were in the semifinals before the tournament was cancelled.

“I’m sure they’re not going to be as nervous as our kids, because they’re used to being there,” Bennett said. “I’m hoping that us being there two years ago will ease some of the nerves. They’re definitely more experienced and probably expected to be there, but I’m very confident in our kids. With this group I would never second guess going up against anybody. They’ve exceeded my expectations and continue to do so.”

The Lions got revenge for their WPIAL title game loss against Peters Township in the state semifinals with a 50-36 win. In a sense they could do the same against Archbishop Wood, but most of the players in that game have graduated.

Ryan Oldaker started for the Lions and Emily Knouse is the lone returning starter from that game for the Vikings. Juliette Leroux and Haylie Lamonde saw a little bit of time off the bench for South Fayette.

Knouse is a St. Joseph’s commit, who made seven of the Vikings’ 17 three-pointers in a 69-35 win over Bethlehem Catholic in the state quarterfinals.

“Knouse is an outstanding three-point shooter,” Bennett said. “At 6-foot tall she gives a mismatch problem with her size and her skill set. She’ll shoot from deep from outside, well beyond the high school line, with consistency and can take you off the dribble and post you up.”

Emily Carter, who’s the eighth ranked sophomore in the country by ESPNW, is another standout for Archbishop Wood. Carter, the Vikings’ point guard, has a bunch of major college offers already, most recently receiving one from North Carolina.

Another sophomore, Emma Seckinger, has an offer from Robert Morris.

“Carter is one of the most talented high school players that I’ve seen,” Bennett said. “She can get to the rim and make some unbelievable finishes. She has a nice pull-up game off the dribble and can hit from outside, so she can score at all levels. (Seckinger) is very athletic and more of a slasher. They have multiple shooters that you can’t help off of. Their role players do their jobs really well. They can spread the floor, because of their ability to shoot and that allows the other ones to drive to the basket.”

Bennett gave his players a couple days off after the win over Peters Township, but some of the girls couldn’t resist and watched some film prior to reconvening for practice Tuesday.

That didn’t surprise Bennett. His team’s work ethic and eagerness to learn has put them in a position to play for a state title and they’re excited for the opportunity.

“It’s a special group of kids,” Bennett said. “I was meeting with my assistants before practice and a couple of them knocked on the door, eager to know the game plan. We asked some of them what they thought. Recently I’ve become a proponent of getting feedback from the kids, because they’re the ones playing and we want to make sure they’re comfortable out on the floor. Ten years ago I’m not sure I would’ve done that, but I think it’s been a benefit to our program. They’re invested and ready to go regardless of who our opponent is.”