By Doug Lehman
Congratulations to the Shalom Lady Flames on a remarkable first season in the PIAA! They reached the District 3 AA championship game, secured their first state playoff victory, and laid a strong foundation for the future of their program. Despite their hard-fought 23-18 loss to the Williams Valley Lady Vikings in a defensive battle, the Flames had a memorable year.
The Flames faced a challenging start against the Vikings, scoring a surprising 0 points in the first quarter and only 3 in the second – quite unusual for this team. However, their defense held strong, limiting the Vikings to just 8 points in the first half. Sydney Moore sparked hope with two crucial three-pointers in the third quarter, helping the Flames narrow the gap to within 2 points.
Unfortunately, the Flames struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter, managing only 6 points while conceding 9, including four from free throws late in the game. Despite their efforts, the Flames couldn’t overcome the Vikings’ strong 2-3 zone defense that kept them off balance throughout the game.
Freshman Sydney Moore led the Flames scoring with 9 points, followed by Addison Adams with 6 and Maya Lehman with 3. Kaitlyn Thomas and Julianna Myers did great work on the boards, while Emily Rebok anchored a resilient defensive effort, notably guarding the Vikings’ top player.
What’s Next? Well, this time, there’s no next game — but the Lady Flames, who had no seniors on their roster, are committed to working hard in the off-season with hopes of returning to the playoff stage next year.
A huge thank you to our incredible fans for your unwavering support and for showing up strong all season long! The coaching staff and players have been deeply blessed by your time, energy, and passion. We are truly grateful — thank you!