Archbishop Wood girls basketball had owned the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball championship stage for years—four straight titles, 24 consecutive state playoff wins, and a reputation as one of the toughest postseason programs in Pennsylvania. But on Saturday night in Hershey, South Fayette girls basketball flipped that legacy on its head.
In front of a packed house at Giant Center, the Lions delivered a near-flawless performance to dethrone the reigning champs, earning their first-ever girl’s basketball championship with a 45-37 victory.
For Archbishop Wood, the offensive rhythm that usually fuels their dominance never showed up. The Vikings struggled from the field, going 16-of-53 overall and just 2-of-12 from deep. A brutal 14-minute stretch without a field goal—spanning from late in the second quarter to early in the fourth—proved costly. Their only points in the third frame came from the free-throw line, where Emily Knouse managed a pair to momentarily stop the bleeding.
On the other side, South Fayette girls basketball played with poise, precision, and purpose. The Lions shot a sizzling 56% from the field (20-of-36), shared the ball with 12 assists, and had six players contribute to the scoring column. Juliette Leroux led the way with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Ryan Oldaker added 10 points, including a massive three-pointer that capped a game-breaking 17-3 run. That surge swung momentum permanently in the Lions’ favor.
Despite the loss, sophomore sensation Ryan Carter reminded everyone why she’s ranked among the top 10 prospects in the country. She finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, battling through a third-quarter knee injury to keep Archbishop Wood within striking distance. Knouse, the team’s senior leader, chipped in 10 points and 7 boards, but the rest of the roster combined for just four points.
It was clear that South Fayette entered the rematch with a chip on their shoulder. After falling to the same opponent in last year’s title game, this year’s journey was all about unfinished business.
The loss ends a historic era for Archbishop Wood girls basketball. A fifth straight state title would have set a new PIAA girl’s record, and Knouse, the team’s lone senior, came within one win of graduating with four gold medals.
