The Parkland High School girls basketball team will certainly be happy that Bethlehem Catholic will play in the 5A classification when it comes to the District 11 tournament. The two teams met twice during the 2022-23 regular season and the Golden Hawks got the better of the Trojans both times, albeit in close fashion by a combined three points.

The teams also met in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference tournament. The fourth-seeded Trojans hosted the fifth-seeded Golden Hawks at Parkland High School last Friday night. Just like during the regular season, Becahi got the better of Parkland, defeating the Trojans 52-41 to advance to the semifinal round and end Parkland’s conference tournament run early, one which the Golden Hawks won last year.

Parkland jumped out to an early lead, going ahead 15-10 after the opening quarter. Five different players hit the scoring column in that frame, including five from Talia Zurinskas. But Becahi caught fire in the second quarter, outscoring the Trojans 16-5 to go on top 26-20 at halftime.

It was just a three-point game (34-31), in favor of Becahi after three, but the Golden Hawks, once again, had a strong quarter in the fourth, outscoring Parkland 18-10 to take the game.

Zurinskas finished with a game-high 17 points. Alexis Brader, Madison Siggins and Delaney Chilcote all tallied six points. Lauren Ervin and Aneri McGalla both recorded three points to round out the scoring for the Trojans. Three Golden Hawks had double figures in points.

Parkland will now await its seeding and matchup in next week’s District 11 playoffs. The Trojans will be the No. 3 seed in Class 6A and will likely meet No. 6 Northampton in the first round.