Jack Leasure Shooting and Skills Camp NYS Semifinal Preview: Aquinas, Catholic Central battle for spot in Girls’ Class A final

Two squads who have not appeared in the NYS final in over a decade clash on Friday to determine which one advances to this year’s final. One squad is looking for its first state championship in program history. Another looks to end a 22-year drought. Aquinas and Catholic Central are set for the Class A NYS semifinal. Here’s the breakdown:

AQUINAS LI’L IRISH (20-5 / Private-Parochial)
vs.
CATHOLIC CENTRAL CRUSADERS (23-1 / Section II/ Colonial)
Friday, Hudson Valley CC, 12:30 p.m.

How they arrived here: Aquinas took down Young Women (90-28), Mercy (54-42) and Palmyra-Macedon (59-33) en route to the finals before beating Pittsford Sutherland 43-41 to win the Section V Championship. The Li’l Irish then beat Lewiston-Porter (64-53) to reach the NYS Class A semifinal. Catholic Central downed Hudson Falls (84-35), Schalmont (68-41) and Holy Names (62-48) to win the Section II Class A title. The Crusaders then beat Indian River (50-45) and Beekmantown (77-20) to reach the semifinal.

Scoring offense: Aquinas (67.2), Catholic Central (67.8)

Scoring defense: Aquinas (44.6), Catholic Central (38.0)

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.

Trends: Aquinas has won 10 straight games, scoring over 70 points in five. Catholic Central is riding a 16-game win streak and has had 19 wins decided by double-digits.

Players to watch for Aquinas: Molly O’Toole Jr. G 17.6 PPG, 6.5RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG; Loren Green Fr. G 17.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 3.0 SPG; AJ Orr So. G 12.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 6.0 SPG; Jade Harvey Fr. G 8.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG; Samiyah Wright Jr C 4.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG.

Catholic Central: Tanavia Turpin Jr. F 15.5 PPG; Kristen Foglia Jr. G 13.6 PPG; El’ Dior Dobere Fr. G 13.3 PPG; Akarri Gaddy So. F 10.1 PPG.

Coaches: Mark Loria (Aquinas), Audra DiBacco (Catholic Central)

History 101: Aquinas is making its first NYS semifinal appearance since 2012 when the Li’l Irish fell in the Class B to South Jefferson (III). Aquinas last made the NYS final in 2011, but lost to Irvington (I). Catholic Central is looking to win its second state championship in program history and first since 2002. That year, the Crusaders downed Horseheads (IV) 58-55 in the title game.

What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A final against either Walter Panas (I) or Kings Park (XI).