Warriors prepared for matchup with No. 12 Knoch

By Jeff Oliver

For the MV Independent

When Elizabeth Forward opens the WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball playoffs tonight at Mt. Lebanon (6:30 p.m. tip), the Warriors will have a height advantage, albeit a slight one.

EF (15-7) has been led all season by its tall standout, 6-1 forward Bri Spirnak, a 1,000-point scorer. The team also features tall role players in junior Abby Bickerton (6-0), senior Seneca Thompson (5-9) and freshman Bailie Brinson (5-8).

Knoch (9-13) doesn’t have any players 6-0 or taller. However, they do have top scorers Lauren Cihanski (5-11), Nevaeh Ewing (5-10) and Skyler Burkett (5-9). The trio averages a combined 36 ppg.

“I know they are a long team,” said Gibbs of Knoch. “They press and their press is pretty effective because of their reach. They aren’t quitters. They hustle all over the court. I’m sure they won’t make it easy for us.”

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