Decker helps propel Lady Sabers to quarterfinals

Susquehanna’s Megan Decker (11) deflects a pass during the Lady Sabers’ PIAA playoff game versus Lancaster Country Day. Decker has five steals and two key baskets to aid Susquehanna in their 35-25 win. Photo by Corey Gesford

Heroes derive from surprising places during the postseason.

Susquehanna’s Geena Miller (41) contests the shot of Lancaster Country Day’s Anna Copeland (12) as teammates Megan Decker (11) and Mackenzie Steele (4) look on. Susquehanna defeated the Cougars 35-25. Photo by Corey Gesford

Nowhere was that more apparent than at Hazleton High Area High School when Susquehanna continued its march in the PIAA Class A state basketball playoffs with a 35-25 win over Lancaster Country Day.

On a night when the Lady Sabers’ trio of steady Seniors were kept in check, Sophomore Megan Decker made some noise.

While the stat line seemed modest, four points and four rebounds to go along with an astounding five steals it was the timing of Decker’s plays that cemented the night and sent Susquehanna to the state quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

On a night when points were limited and Susquehanna clinging to a 20-17 lead  early in the fourth quarter, Decker drove the lane and lofted a soft shot that kissed off the glass and gave the Lady Sabers a 22-17 lead and a little breathing room.

“Sometimes we need someone else to step up and help everybody, and I feel I can do that,” said Decker.

A few minutes later Decker snared an offensive rebound and scored to

Susquehanna’s Megan Decker (11) and Taylor Huyck (15) eye the basketball during the Lady Sabers’ PIAA playoff game versus Lancaster Country Day. Defense was the key to Susquehanna’s 35-25 win. Photo by Corey Gesford

extend the Lady Sabers lead. She also had three of her five steals during the quarter.

“I know what those two girls (Megan and twin sister Mackenzie) are capable of,” said Susquehanna Coach Kirk Fallon. “They go up against (Mackenzie)Steele, (Taylor) Huyck, and (Mackenzie) Heath every single day and hold their own and are comfortable…they haven’t always shown it against other teams, but these last couple games they’ve been more comfortable that could be the difference.”

Susquehanna began the game slowly trailing 8-5 after the first quarter.  However, in the second quarter the defensive tenacity picked up. The Lady Sabers doubled down on Lancaster Country Day’s all-time leading scorer Ashanti Duncan and held her and the Cougars to a single field goal in the second quarter.

“We did a good job of doubling Duncan in our zone,” said Fallon. “But they surround her with good shooters and our defense did a really good job of scrambling after she kicked if out.”

Susquehanna’s Mackenzie Heath (35) attacks the lane against the Lancaster Country Day defense as teammate Megan Kiernan (34) jockeys for position. Photo by Corey Gesford.

Feeding off their defense Susquehanna’s offense opened up as Heath and Geena Miller each connected from downtown with three-pointers while Huyck and Steele each added a field goal as Susquehanna took a 15-10 lead into halftime.

“Coach really emphasized defense and boxing out, keeping 35 (Duncan) and 12 (Anna Copeland) off the boards,” said Heath.

After intermission both teams continued to struggle offensively. On the evening Susquehanna was only 14-31 from the field and Lancaster Country Day was far worse shooting 7-39.

Leading 20-15 heading into the fourth quarter, Susquehanna used Decker’s key plays to go along with steady play of its two stars Steele and Huyck, as the duo combined for nine points in the decisive quarter.

Huyck answered the Cougars’ last rally with back to back field goals, and after Miller’s putback Steele finished a drop step to the middle to seemingly put the game out of reach, 32-22, with just over two minutes to play.

“A lot of teams focus on stopping Taylor and Mackenzie,” observed Heath. “So, I and the underclassmen have to step up, and the underclassmen really stepped up today.”

Steele and Heath led the way with nine points for Susquehanna. Steele

Susquehanna’s Taylor Huyck (15) retrieves the ball during the Lady Sabers’ PIAA playoff game against Lancaster Country Day. Photo by Corey Gesford

added 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. Huyck finished with six while Miller added five and Megan Kiernan chipped in with a field goal.

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