An injury forced Pearl Bixler to watch Perkiomen School's girls basketball team win in its first state tournament game in program history, but, last week, the East Greenville junior played a key defensive role in its second postseason win.
            "Playing is much better than watching," Bixler said.
 

Perkiomen's Lauren Patnode, reaches across an ANC player in an attempt to steal the ball in the opening round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament on Thursday, Feb. 15

            The Panthers posted three double-figure scorers in a 53-33 victory over Academy of the New Church in the opening round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament on Thursday, Feb. 15. Ava Darvassy scored a game-high 20 points. She delivered 11 in the first half to help Perkiomen take control of the game.
            Lauren Patnode tallied 12 of her 17 points in the second half to help No. 8 seeded Perkiomen School (10-11) pull away. Jaycee Merizalde, a junior guard, posted eight of her 12 points in the first half.
            Head coach Kerrie Kosakowski described the state tournament win as a significant accomplishment. Citing constant injury issues, she said the team has had an uneven season.
            "It's been up and down," said Kosakowski, who described the current roster as the most talented in her three-year tenure.
            According to the coach, the Panthers have yet to play this season with their entire roster. Against ANC, they were without Amarilis Shubick, a junior from Avenel, N.J.
            Darvassy, a senior post player from Dix Hills, N.Y., has missed time with a concussion. Kosakowski also said a lingering injury has forced Merizalde, their point guard, to sit out games.
            Bixler, a 5'10 forward, scored just two points against the No. 9 seeded Lions. At the other end of the floor, she shadowed their top offensive performers.
            Bixler started the game guarding Xola Wade, a 5'6 senior guard. Wade finished with a team-high 15 points, but only six in the first half.
            The coach then had Bixler cover Arianna Frank. ANC's 5'8 senior did not score.
            "I like to run the floor," said Bixler, who missed the final 11 games of last season due to a stress fracture.
            Bixler made the shift to covering the opposition's top scorer near the end of the regular season. Kosakowski said she was impressed with the player's physical stamina.
            "I've only seen her tired once this season," the coach said. "[The defensive responsibility] hasn't affected Pearl's ability to play offense."
            Patnode and Darvassy helped the Panthers extend a 26-21 halftime lead. Patnode, a 6' shooting guard from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. who will continue her career at LaSalle University, scored seven points during the third quarter on two 3-pointers. The second one, from the right wing, capped an 11-3 run and staked her team to a 37-24 advantage.
            Darvassy, who will continue her athletic career at SUNY Oneonta, scored six points in the fourth quarter. She went to the foul line on three consecutive possessions during the quarter to help extend a 43-33 lead.