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WILKES-BARRE — The thought of failure in a disappointing District 2 final was fleeting for Erin Gibbons.

She was too focused on helping Wyoming Valley West make history.

So Gibbons simply shrugged off a missed opportunity to seize the moment at hand, scoring 16 points Saturday while leading the Spartans past Twin Valley, 41-27 and to the school’s first state victory in the opening round of the PIAA Class 5A tournament at Wilkes University’s Marts Center.

“It was nice, especially as seniors,” Gibbons said. “It’s our last time. We did a great job.”

It was the first time the Spartans made the state brackets since suffering a 65-62 first-round Class 4A loss to Coatesville in 2002, although Valley West also competed in a PIAA play-in game in 2009, when the Spartans were defeated by Great Valley.

Valley West’s previous trips to states also ended in dejection, with losses in 1978, 1997 and 1999.

“I’m very proud of them,” Valley West coach Gary Ferenchick said. “They picked themselves up after last week. And they showed what they have deep down inside.”

The 21-5 Spartans entered states off a difficult 32-30 loss to No. 6 seed Abington Heights in the District 2 championship last Saturday, when Gibbons put up a driving shot that was partially blocked in an attempt to win the game in the final seconds.

“After our last loss, we were coming in (to states) knowing we had to show up,” Gibbons said. “I think we did.”

Early and often.

Gibbons got things started with eight points in the first half, and Valley West’s defense tortured Twin Valley to advance into Wednesday’s PIAA second round against District 1 champion, Springfield Delco (24-4).

“We wanted to try to take the ball to the basket a little more,” Ferenchick said. “I thought we were patient on offense. I knew they (the Twin Valley Raiders) were big. We got up, and we started settling for outside shots. I wanted to take it right at them.

“I thought it was an all-around good game.”

It got a little uncomfortable for Valley West in the second quarter.

Twin Valley made a charge, pulling within two points late in the period by forcing the Spartans toward the perimeter.

But Toni Amato came off the bench to drill a 3-pointer 1:40 before halftime, Andi Blaski followed with another 3-pointer 47 seconds later, and both scored five points in the second quarter to send Valley West into intermission with a 22-14 lead.

The Spartans were never seriously threatened again.

“It was exciting,” Blaski, a sophomore guard, said. “At first, I really wasn’t hitting anything. I was getting a little nervous. Eventually, I got more confidence. I had enough to shoot a 3, and it went in.”

Gibbons scored four more points in the third quarter, and with help from another Blaski 3-pointer, Valley West boosted its lead to 11 points with a quarter to play.

“That’s our advantage,” Gibbons said. “We have some girls who come in, and they always seem to step up.”

Valley West stepped on the gas in the final quarter, as Gibbons scored her final three points, Natalie Gruver hit three foul shots and Valley West’s defense held the Raiders to 13 points in the second half — and to single digits in three of the game’s four quarters.

“A lot of good teams in this area have been (district) runner-up and made good runs in the states,” Ferenchick said. “I’m hoping we can do the same.

“We’re looking forward to the next one.”

Wyoming Valley West 41, Twin Valley 27

TWIN VALLEY (27) — Julie Wallace 2 0-0 5, Ashlynn Lennon 1 2-4 2, Taylor Knorr 0 2-4 2, Cameryn Jamison 0 0-0 0, Gabrielle Parlaman 1 0-0 2, Peyton McDaniel 4 0-0 8, Julia Danilak 2 2-4 6, Alyssa Gibson 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 6-12 27.

WYOMING VALLEY WEST (41) — Erin Gibbons 4 7-8 16, Gabby Smicherko 3 1-6 7, Natalie Gruver 0 3-5 3, Colleen Cwalina 1 0-1 2, Andi Blaski 3 0-0 8, Toni Amato 2 0-0 5, Katie Johnson 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Gruver 0 0-0 0, Sidney Scarcella 0 0-0 0, Katie Mackiewicz 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 11-20 41.

Twin Valley `2`12`7`6`—`27

Wyoming Valley West`10`12`10`9`—`41

Three-point goals — TV 1 (Wallace); WVW 4 (Blaski 2, Gibbons, Amato).

Wyoming Valley West’s Gabriela Smicherko drives to the basket against Twin Valley’s Julie Wallace.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031217GBWVWTwinVal2.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West’s Gabriela Smicherko drives to the basket against Twin Valley’s Julie Wallace. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West’s Gabriela Smicherko attempts a shot against Twin Valley’s Cameryn Jamison.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031217GBWVWTwinVal3.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West’s Gabriela Smicherko attempts a shot against Twin Valley’s Cameryn Jamison. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West’s Erin Gibbons eyes up the basket against Twin Valley’s Julia Danilak during the first round of the Class 5A state playoff game at Wilkes University’s Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031217GBWVWTwinVal1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West’s Erin Gibbons eyes up the basket against Twin Valley’s Julia Danilak during the first round of the Class 5A state playoff game at Wilkes University’s Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Paul Sokoloski

[email protected]

Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski

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Wyoming Valley West’s Erin Gibbons scores two of her 16 points on Saturday

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