Mar 11, 2026 By Jerin Steele 4 min read

ALTOONA – On the final night of section play, Peters Township had to win at Bethel Park just to get into the WPIAL playoffs.

Now the Indians are in the state quarterfinals.

It’s been quite a journey over the last month-plus for Peters Township and that continued with a dominating 54-32 victory over District 3’s Manheim Central in the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball second round Wednesday night.

The Indians advanced to play District 3 champ York Suburban in the state quarterfinals Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

“In some ways I’m not surprised,” Peters Township coach Steve Limberiou said about his team’s playoff run. “I’ve said all along our section is not just the toughest in Pittsburgh, but in the state. You’ve seen that the WPIAL has done well in the (state) playoffs. We’re battle tested with kids that played a ton of playoff games last year. I think they’re used to big environments like this and they played good basketball today.”

Manheim Central (19-9) upset WPIAL runner-up Thomas Jefferson in the first round, but couldn’t recreate the magic Wednesday.

Peters Township (17-11) was in control from the opening tip.

The Indians led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Indians were boosted by eight points from Maddyn Mehl, including two three pointers.

Bri Morreale extended the lead to double digits by canning a pair of threes to begin the second quarter.

The Indians forced a couple of turnovers and limited the Barons to one made field goal, a basket inside by Madelyn Graham the entire second quarter

Following a media timeout, Taylor McCullough made two key baskets to give the Indians their largest lead.

She converted a layup off a steal by Alina Sopko and then nailed a three from the left elbow, which forced a Manheim Central timeout.

It didn’t get better for the Barons after the timeout.

McCullough made two free throws and Jordyn Welsh slashed her way through the lane to make a layup and the Indians led 31-13 at halftime.

“Going in we didn’t know what to expect, but we did know we needed to have good defense,” said Morreale, who had a game-high 18 points. “We did a good job moving and sharing the ball and it happened that we were all making our shots. It was really fun.”

Lilah Walters made a shot in the paint early in the third quarter that broke a drought of six minutes of game time, but it was a short reprieve for the Barons.

Morreale canned another three and following a steal, Welsh converted a layup.

Then, Mehl connected on her third three of the game to balloon the lead to 40-15 and forced Manheim Central to call another timeout.

Mehl finished with 12 points. It was her second straight state playoff game scoring in double figures after having 12 against Susquehannock in the first round.

“Her confidence level is up,” Limberiou said. “You just can’t put enough shooters on the floor and she can shoot. Her spacing the floor opens up things for other players. Defensively she’s holding her own too. Sometimes she’s giving up size to the girl she’s guarding and she is battling through and doing well. Her career is on an ascension.”

Welsh and McCullough scored 10 points apiece. The Indians made eight threes.

Madelyn Graham led the Barons with 12 points.

Now the Indians will try to take down York Suburban to return to the state semifinals for a second consecutive year.

“We just don’t want this to end for Alina (Sopko) and Bri (Morreale),” Limberiou said. “Those two have won 80 games here in four years. They’re winners in every way.”

Manheim Central 11 2 11 8 – 32

Peters Township 16 15 13 10 – 54

Mannheim Central: Madelyn Graham, 12 points.

Peters Township: Bri Morreale, 18 points; Maddyn Mehl, 11; Taylor McCullough, 10; Jordyn Welsh 10.