Boda scores 23 to lead California past Fort Cherry

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

With junior forward Kendelle Weston ineligible for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs, California head coach Chris Niemiec knew he’d have to see others step up in her absence. 

He also understood that replacing the production of Weston, a transfer from Monessen and one of the Trojans’ leading scorers, would begin and end with senior standout Makayla Boda. 

Luckily for the Trojans, Boda was in the lineup Tuesday and helped carry the load for No. 8 Cal with a game-high 23 points in a 50-43 first-round victory over ninth-seeded Fort Cherry.

“Makayla is used to this. In the playoffs last year against Greensburg Central Catholic and Clairton, she really took over those games,” Niemiec said. “It’s just playoff Makayla and we saw it again tonight.”

Boda, who served as a relentless force on the defensive end as well, scored 11 of her points in the first half before adding 12 in the final 16 minutes.
The veteran went 7 for 7 from the free-throw line and showed composure during critical moments, especially in the fourth quarter when she scored six of California’s 18 points to help seal the victory.  

“I get nervous before the games, but once the game starts, I get into game mode,” Boda said. “I just look to get good baskets and easy points.

“If Kendelle would have been in there, it would have been a different game. We were missing her, but we still played our butts off.” 

In a low-scoring game highlighted by a pair of strong defenses and 49 combined turnovers, Boda was one of just four California (11-3) players on the scoresheet. 

Freshman Rakiyah Porter scored 15 points in her first career varsity game, while Jordyn Cruse added 10. McKenna Hewitt had just two points, but her lone bucket came at a crucial time in the fourth quarter as she helped Cal extend its lead to six with just over a minute remaining. 

Porter and Boda led the way in the first quarter as they combined to score all 16 of California’s points. Boda netted nine and Porter scored seven to help give the Trojans a 16-11 lead after one. 

Cal pushed its lead to 21-13 three and a half minutes in to the second and looked destined to gain further separation on the scoreboard. 

Fort Cherry (10-10) had a different plan in mind as the Rangers countered with a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 22-21 late in the frame. Annika Rinehart led the charge during the spurt, scoring five of her team-high 16 points. 

California was held at bay offensively as Fort Cherry’s zone defense presented problems throughout the quarter. 

“They went into a zone and were really aggressive out of it,” Niemiec said. “We really didn’t see that too much during the season. 

“We were able to get points off our transition and defense in the first, and then they took care of the ball and tightened things up in the middle quarters. They made it a half court game, which is to their favor.” 

A turning point in the game came in the final seconds of the second quarter. 

With the Trojans facing a four-plus minute scoring drought, Cruse nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Cal a 24-22 lead into halftime. 

With that came a newfound shift in momentum. 

“They had a huge run and would have had the lead going into halftime, and I think that three really brought everything back for us and calmed them all down,” Niemiec said. 

Both teams scored eight points apiece in the third quarter as California maintained a two-point edge at 32-30 heading into the fourth. 

Porter scored six of Cal’s first eight points to help extend the lead to 40-33 midway through the frame before a free throw from Ava Menzies and buckets from Emma Blickenderfer and Dana Sinatra cut the lead to 40-38 with 2:23 to go. 

Cal kept its lead at four up until the final minute when Cruse and Boda combined to hit six foul shots and put the game out of reach. 

“The girls that are playing have been here a lot,” Niemiec said. “When you’ve played a lot of close games in the playoffs, the experience is what makes a difference.” 

The Trojans now advance to the quarterfinals where they will face top-seeded Neshannock (14-2) 6 p.m. Friday. 

“I know absolutely nothing (about Neshannock) and sometimes ignorance is bliss,” Niemiec said with a laugh. “I’ll get some stuff on them, but they’re the No. 1 seed for a reason.” 

“It feels good to get this playoff win,” Boda said. “Hopefully we can get another one on Friday.”