Kalista Walters's back-to-back three pointers in the opening minutes of the Class AAA quarterfinal of the PIAA state playoffs, with a Janelle Robinson jump shot in between, set the stage for Becahi's 67-46 victory over Prep Charter last Saturday.

"Absolutely, Kalista's first basket set the tone for the game. It allowed all the young kids to get comfortable, and Smitty [Bridget Smith] took it upon herself to handle the ball," said Becahi coach Bill Lanscek.

Ironically, each team's point guards were missing from the line-ups due to injuries. For the Hawks, that was Nicole Lacherza, so freshman, Nia Mims, got the start.

"At first I was concerned because if something happens to Janelle, then I'm hurting at point guard," Lanscek said.

Concern, however, quickly turned to the realization that everything was under control for Becahi, so much so that the Hawks had built a 14-point lead at the half and, with excessive fouling in the fourth quarter, extended its lead even further.

Walters was Becahi's top scorer with 27 points, followed by Smith with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Danielle Griffin added ten points, Robinson had eight, and Cecilia Perez scored five points. Nia Mims chipped in four points, and Jordynn Jones had one.

Walters is only 17 points away from a career 1,000.

The victory over Prep Charter not only advanced the Hawks to the semifinal game on Tuesday, past Press deadlines, against Villa Maria Academy, but broke an 18-year-old school record with 27 victories this season.

Earlier last week, Bethlehem Catholic's PIAA second round 56-42 victory over Honesdale began with Becahi guard, Janelle Robinson, and ended with Becahi guard, Janelle Robinson.

The Becahi junior was the leader in a strong first quarter and the catalyst in a comeback fourth quarter for the Hawks on March 13 at Hazleton High School.