The Marian girls basketball team will be in action tonight when they face Wyoming Seminary in the second round of the state playoffs.

A victory over the Blue Knights would lift the Fillies into Friday’s quarterfinal round.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

PIAA Class 2A Second Round

Marian (15-11)

vs. Wyoming Seminary (18-7)

Tuesday, March 10 at Berwick, 6 p.m.

LEADING OFF

Following a dominating 66-24 victory against Vaux Big Picture, Marian advances to the second round of state playoffs where it will take on Wyoming Seminary, the District 2 runner-up. The Blue Knights held off District 4 champion Muncy in their first round matchup 32-27 to move on and reach the second round for the first time since 1999 — its only other season with a state playoff win. The Fillies continue to ride the wave of a remarkable turnaround after stumbling out of the gates at the beginning of the season. A program once in disarray is now back in a familiar position. Their next test will be one that appears similar to them on paper. Seminary consists of several offensively talented players at the top of the lineup who are supported by defensively responsible teammates that make nights long for the opposition.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marian - Addy Marek (15.69 ppg, 42 three-pointers), Deanna Pugh (12.12 ppg), Hailey Minzola (5.67 ppg), Brooke Hannis-Miskar (5.13 ppg), Katie Knock (4.31 ppg).

Wyoming Seminary - Ella Stambaugh (21.88 ppg, 44 three-pointers), Ellie Kersey (7.76 ppg, 35 three-pointers), Stella Ruiz (4.84 ppg), Natalina DeNaples (3.43 ppg), Kaeleen Dougherty (3.21 ppg).

BY THE NUMBERS

3 - The number of seasons Wyoming Seminary has reached the PIAA state playoffs in, with its last appearance coming in 1999.

27 - This will be Marian’s 27th second round state playoff matchup in program history, and will also be its fifth straight season appearing in this round.

72 - The number of wins the Fillies have earned in state playoff history, including last weekend’s victory over Vaux Big Picture.

525 - The number of points on the season for Ella Stambaugh of the Blue Knights. The 6-foot-2 junior phenom has also tallied over 1,300 points in her career, making her the single greatest scoring threat for either team.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

“Wyoming Seminary has a very good team, led by (Stambaugh), who is a D1 recruit, with over 20 D1 offers. (Ruiz) is a very good shooter and (Kersey) is a good shooter and driver. We will need to contain (Stambaugh) and take care of the ball to get to the next round.” — Marian head coach Jeff Onushco