Bethlehem Catholic’s girls’ basketball team placed second in the District 11 AAA tournament after losing to Southern Lehigh 54-34 in the district final on Saturday at William Allen High School.

“At the end of the day, we had opportunities to stop the bleeding, but it was good for us to see, and will help us get better,” said Becahi coach Jose Medina.

After Tessa Zamolyi hit a three pointer late in the first quarter, Southern Lehigh’s Jenna Cyr responded with three points for the Spartans. Olivia Snyder scored on a turnover, and the Hawks called a timeout.

Subsequently, the Spartans went on a ten-point run before Becahi’s Natalie Rhine tried to spark the Hawks with a three, only to have Southern Lehigh go on another ten-point tear.

“What they do, they like to push the ball in transition, and we got away from doing the things we wanted to do,” Medina said.

Southern Lehigh led 33-13 at halftime and continued to make the big plays into the third quarter, including a pass to Ellie Cassel from Amanda Mobley in transition that resulted in two more points and a 46-18 lead.

“The loose balls, the hustle plays, they went their way today, and they let us know they’re here to stay,” said Medina.

Medina also addressed AAU friendships with the Hawks during the third quarter.

“When you’re lacing them up and you’re getting your butt kicked, you don’t smile, and it’s what I tell them in moving forward with this program,” he said. “We’ll study and dissect the film and let this propel us forward.”

Jordynn Jones led the Hawks in scoring with 11 points. Snyder had 18 points for Southern Lehigh.

The Hawks will still advance to the PIAA State Tournament as district runner-up when they take on the District 2 champion on March 5.