After facing some ups and downs throughout the season, the Lady Trojans seem to be putting things together as the regular season winds down. The latest example was an impressive 44-24 win over a tough Nazareth (11-4, 15-5) team, which officially put Parkland (10-5, 13-8) into the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs. Sarah Stagaard led Parkland with 11 points, while Erin Bross had seven and Emily Piston hit two early three-pointers, finishing with six points.

Stagaard and Piston got the offense off to a fast start, putting them up by eight after the first quarter. Nazareth fought back to make it a 22-18 game at the half, but Parkland came out strong in the third quarter both offensively and defensively, holding the Blue Eagles to a total of six points over the final 16 minutes of the game.

"They're a really good basketball team," said coach Wes Spence of Nazareth. "I'm happiest with how we played, obviously. I'm happy with the result, but win or lose, I thought we played really good basketball. I thought on the offensive and defensive ends, we executed very well and that was important to me, to see that effort.

"We've struggled at times to put it together for four quarters, we came back to Earth a little bit in the second quarter, but I was glad to see that the girls responded and in the second half we were able to kick it up a notch and get to another level."

Stagaard believes that the win helps to send the message that Parkland is back on track and could be a tough team in the EPC playoffs, which begin next week. One of the keys for Parkland could be the ability to play the type of shutdown defense that they showed against Nazareth.

"Right now, we're really playing as a team," she said. "The past couple of games we've played really well and have done a good job of finding the open girls, so I think we're ready. The whole team believes that defense wins games, so we really focus in on our defense."

While the immediate focus is on the EPC playoffs that begin next week, Parkland has also qualified for the District 11 playoffs that begin the following week.

Just one regular season game remains for Parkland, a home game against Whitehall on Friday night. The Zephyrs (7-8, 11-10) are on the cusp of the playoffs and need a win Friday to help their cause. That game will be the final home regular season game for the six seniors - Aubrey Beidelman, Erica Bross, Erin Bross, Alexis Koder, Samantha O'Keefe and Brooke Robertson - who have contributed a lot to the program. Heading into the game with Whitehall, the senior class has an overall record of 65-34, with a district title to its credit.

"They're fantastic," said Spence of his seniors. "I think this year's group is as inclusive as any group has been. Our seniors do a fantastic job of integrating our underclassmen, the girls get along very well off the court and they make the efforts to really include everyone in the things we do, so you really couldn't ask for better seniors.

"They set great examples in the classroom, on the court, in the community. They're involved in all kinds of things and they're great examples for the younger girls and are the type of kids you want to have in your program."