Basketball Recap: Aquinas Academy Snags Fifth Victory in Last Six Games

Aquinas Academy had already proven themselves in the regular season and they didn't miss a beat now that it's playoff time. They strolled past the Serra Catholic Eagles with points to spare on Thursday, taking the game 64-45. That's more bragging rights for the Crusaders, who also won the pair's last head-to-head.

Tess Duer

Points (Career)

02/20/25 @ Serra Catholic	27
12/02/24 vs Elizabeth Forward	26
12/27/23 vs Rockwood	17
01/21/25 @ Sewickley Academy	16
12/07/24 vs Karns City	16

Tess Duer was her usual excellent self, putting up 27 points along with six boards and five assists. The dominant performance gave her a new career-high in points. Another player making a difference was Elliot Keverline, who almost dropped a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Despite the defeat, Serra Catholic saw an underclassman step up: freshman Bella Dumbroski went 7-for-16 on her way to 20 points in addition to eight boards and five assists. Dumbroski is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last four games she's played. Abby Genes was another key player, earning ten points.

Aquinas Academy is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 15-7 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 54.5 points over those games. Serra Catholic is on a five-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 12-11.

Aquinas Academy and Serra Catholic are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. Aquinas Academy will challenge Union Area at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Both teams are coming into the contest red-hot, with Union Area sitting on 23 straight victories and Aquinas Academy on four. As for Serra Catholic, they will be playing at home against Bishop Canevin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Serra Catholic is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 53 points per game this season.