Spirnak’s 23 carries Warriors into semifinals

By JERIN STEELE

For the MV Independent

With Quaker Valley pushing Elizabeth Forward to the edge late in the fourth quarter, Bri Spirnak did what she had been doing all game: She stayed tough and found a way to score. 

The No. 13-seeded Quakers cut the lead to three points on two occasions with less than two minutes remaining, but both times Spirnak answered with a basket to quell any thoughts of a second consecutive upset bid, and the No. 5 Warriors escaped with a 46-38 victory in the WPIAL Class 4A girls basketball quarterfinals Thursday at North Hills. 

“You just have to stay calm during those last few minutes,” Spirnak said. “Everyone gets flustered. The other team gets flustered, and you just have to take a deep breath and try to make those tough shots.” 

The Warriors advanced to play top-seeded North Catholic (20-3) in the semifinals Monday. They also secured a berth in the PIAA playoffs. 

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