BASKETBALL

Early spark leads Berlin Brothersvalley past Bishop McCort for PIAA 2A basketball gold

The Daily American

HERSHEY — Berlin Brothersvalley left no doubt as to why it is the best 2A girls basketball team in the state, Thursday, at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Berlin held Bishop McCort Catholic Academy scoreless for more than three minutes in the first quarter of the championship game and withstood a Crimson Crusher surge for a 62-50 victory, capturing the second PIAA title in program history.

"It doesn't feel real. I'm just so excited," said Berlin coach Rachel Prosser. "It's such an honor to watch these girls play that way. I'm so proud of them ... so happy."

Berlin (28-2) was on fire to start. Freshman Bryn Prosser stroked two threes, sophomore Elena Ritchey netted six points and fellow sophomore Coral Prosser tallied an old-fashioned 3-point play, giving the Mountaineers a 15-0 lead with 4:50 remaining in the quarter.

Berlin Brothersvalley’s Bryn Prosser (10) celebrates with her sister Coral Prosser after picking up the and-1 during the PIAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Championship against Bishop McCort at the Giant Center on March 27, 2025, in Hershey.

"When that first shot goes in, I think that fuels our whole team," Coach Prosser said. "I don't think anybody cares who makes it. That's what didn't happen in the last couple of games, so we had slower starts."

Berlin held its largest lead 21-2 on back-to-back threes by Coral Prosser.

Berlin, which won its 26th straight contest, led 27-8 after one.

Bishop McCort (26-5) didn't go down without a fight. The Crimson Crushers outscored the Mountaineers 19-10 in the second and trailed 37-27 at the break.

The Crimson Crushers clawed within six, 39-33 in the third, but the Mountaineers answered with a 9-2 spurt for a 48-35 advantage.

Junior Emma Preuss paced Bishop McCort with 18 points in the game, and sophomore Zoey Ferguson added 12.

Berlin took a 55-39 lead into the fourth.

The youthful but veteran Mountaineers were unflappable down the stretch. Ritchey tallied an early bucket, and Coral Prosser went 4-for-6 at the line to seal the deal.

Berlin Brothersvalley players celebrate with the student section after defeating Bishop McCort 62-50 in the PIAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Championship at the Giant Center on March 27, 2025, in Hershey.

"It's amazing. It's unreal," Coral Prosser, who dropped a game-high 35 points to go along with 15 rebounds and eight steals, said. "Just getting to see the joy on my teammates' faces and the support by the community is just amazing."

Berlin Brothersvalley’s Coral Prosser drives from end to end during the PIAA Class 2A Girls Basketball Championship against Bishop McCort at the Giant Center on March 27, 2025, in Hershey.

Bryn Prosser chipped in 12 points, and Ritchey added 11 for the Mountaineers.

"This is so special," Ritchey said. "I've been dreaming of this along with the girls in my grade since 2019, when those girls won gold. We looked up to them so much. It's a dream come true."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.