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POTTSVILLE - Tri-Valley executed brilliantly and played stellar defense for four quarters to win its first -ever District 11-A crown with a 58-53 victory over Pottsville Nativity BVM at Martz Hall March 6. 

Tri-Valley had beaten Moravian Academy 50-39 March 3 in semifinal action to advance to the final for a chance with a repeat visit with longtime Class A foe the Golden Girls.

The importance of this contest was clearly evident as the 'Dawgs (now 20-5) battled intensely with the Golden Girls (20-4) in a thrilling nip and tuck contest. 

The Golden Girls were hungry to earn their second straight district title and their fourth in the past five years.  But the 'Dawgs were hungrier and, at times, seemed to rattle Nativity's offensive chains.

The 'Dawgs showed their resilience in overcoming adversity from a 47-39 loss to Nativity Jan. 18, as well as the emotional battle scars left from a 51-28 loss to Tamaqua Feb. 20 for the Schuylkill League Title.  Perhaps past memories also played a role, as Nativity had defeated Tri-Valley for the gold in last year's district final. 

'Dawgs Coach Bob Felty stressed the important role that every player on his team would have in order to win this game, from the leadership of seniors Hannah Masser and Amber Wehry to the youth of Rayne Newswanger, Julie Weber, Taylor Troutman, Chelsea Stutzman and Tara Nahodil.   

" lost to Nativity by eight the last time. We felt we played them even last time, but they made some 3 pointers in the last game. So we did a better job on stopping that and that was the difference,'' Felty said.

He said the 'Dawgs "wanted to try and win every possession'' and win the game on that basis.

"All seven of my girls contributed in one way or another, whether it was offensively or defensively.  We worked on what to do if they double teamed Tara (Nahodil). When they started to double up on her, she'd kick it back out. We worked on that the last few games,'' Felty said.

Nahodil, who is six feet, four inches tall and only  a freshman, was enthusiastic about the victory.

"This feels amazing! We were coming in on the bus and we just felt it on the way here,'' she said.

"You could feel the energy on the bus. We knew we were going to come out here and do it,'' she added. "I was nervous, but I knew my shots had to go in. When they double teamed me, I kicked it out to Amber (Wehry) and Chelsea (Stutzman),'' Nahodil said.

Teammate Julie Weber, a freshman guard, agreed.

" We were nervous and trying to calm down. There was a lot of pressure. We were excited.  Coach (Felty) told us to take a few deep breaths on the way up here.  He knew we were nervous,'' she said.

Weber was guarded all night by Nativity standout Kiely Chaklos. 

"She is really good and one of the best defenders I've had all year,'' Weber said. "We knew we needed to make our shots. Last time we played I wasn't ready for her. I was ready this time. 

In first-period action, nerves were evident as both teams struggled with opening jitters and turnovers.  Nativity tore out to a 7-1 lead. But back-to-back buckets by Nahodil, Wehry and Weber gave the 'Dawgs the confidence they needed as this contest was knotted 9-9 after one period.

An exceptional shooting performance from the field highlighted the second period for both teams. Nativity nailed six-for-10 attempts while Tri-Valley hit five-of-eight while sinking four-of-five from the free throw line. 

Senior Hannah Masser buried two treys while the 'Dawgs' guards made excellent entry passes into Nahodil who scored six points.  Julie Weber sank two from the free throw line and scored on a nice dribble drive. The momentum shifted in the "Dawgs favor as Chaklos picked up her second foul of the game.  In an exchange of buckets throughout this period, Masser's trey gave the Dawgs a 25-24 halftime lead.

Nativity came out in the second half fired up, going on a mini surge as a Chaklos steal turned into a transition play and a 30-27 lead. Chaklos' spin move with 4:50 remaining maintained a three-point lead. However, it was short-lived as more Nativity players got into foul trouble. Nikki Farr, who was guarded exceptionally well by Masser, and Gabi Nabholz both picked up their third foul. 

With 3:11 remaining, Nahodil also was whistled for her third foul in this very physical contest.

Tri-Valley tied the game when a Nativity player tried to save an out-of- bounds ball under the "Dawgs basket.  The pass was perfect for Amber Wehry who took advantage and scored an easy bucket to tie the game 36-36. 

The Golden Girls re-bounded their own missed free throw and quickly kicked out to teammate Bridget Holohan who bur-ied a 15 foot shot from the wing for a 39-36 lead.  Weber then drove on a buzzer-beating drive but Nativity led 39-38 after three. 

In the fourth quarter, Wehry went on a scoring assault. Though she often was double-teamed, Nahodil - with great court awareness - simply kicked the ball out to Wehry, who sank shots at crucial times to take the lead.  Nahodil began the quarter with a power move inside.  Weber found Wehry on the outside and Tri-Valley led 42-39 with 7:15 to go. 

An inbounds pass to Wehry was followed by a Weber-to-Nahodil inside move.  A Nahodil free throw gave the 'Dawgs a 47-46 lead, as every bucket was countered with a great move by Nativity. A kickback from Nahodil to Wehry and a Weber-to- Nahodil fast break gave the 'Dawgs a 51-46 lead with 4:31 remaining.

The Dawgs had a few opportunities to widen their lead on free throws, but shots refused to fall. Chaklos drove inside the paint and teammate Farr added two free throws as Tri-Valley's lead dwindled to 51-50 with 3:32 remaining. 

Then Chelsea Stutzman found Weber inside. Seconds later Weber threw a perfectly thrown baseball pass to Rayne Newswanger on a coast-to-coast uncontested layup and the Dawgs led 55-50 with 2:15 remaining. 

A walking violation by Nativity gave the ball back to Tri-Valley, forcing Nativity to foul. After both teams' scoring froze briefly, the Golden Girls fouled the "Dawgs' reserve Freshman Taylor Troutman who stepped up big to the line and calmly sank two clutch free throws with  :52 remaining to give her team a 57-50 lead. 

"I knew I had to make those shots for the team.  Coach Felty said go out and play your hardest,'' Troutman said. "I was nervous but it felt great playing out there.''

The 'Dawgs missed three of their next four foul shots. Nativity's Courtney Field earned a bonus three-point play with :28 remaining as Nativity put its trademark full court pressure on the 'Dawgs.  A trey attempt by Nativity was missed, and Nahodil snared the loose ball, was fouled and made one-of-two free throws with eight seconds remaining to seal the deal and begin the celebration.

"It feels great.  It is one of the best days of my life,'' Wehry,  a senior, said.  "I had trouble with my shooting in the past, and I came in and practiced and I got better ...

"For four years I've played softball, volleyball and basketball and in a big game like this, we could never beat them ... but this time we came through,'' Wehry said.

"I don't really have the words to describe it,'' Felty added. "It's a testament to how hard these girls have worked. They have played in over 70 games in the offseason and all that factors in to this.''

Nahodil led all scorers with 22 points. Wehry scored 12 points and Weber finished with 10. Masser added eight. For Nativity, Courtney Field led her team with 20 points.  Chaklos was held to eight points. 

The 'Dawgs advance to the state tournament for the second straight season and will face District 4-A runner-up Cowanesque Valley in the first round of the state playoffs Saturday, March 13 at 3 p.m., again at Martz Hall.