Lady Knights can’t keep up with high-powered Penn State York team
By Paul Miller
Knightly News Co-Adviser
Photos by Dylan Bowman
Knightly News Sports Photographer, Owner of Fellowship Studios
The Central Penn College Lady Knights basketball team fell to Penn State York by a score of 84-45 in a USCAA contest at East Pennsboro Middle School on Sunday for Hoop Knight.
The Lady Knights, fresh off a decisive victory in their last contest before the holiday break, drew a tough matchup in Penn State York, who was ranked #4 in the most recent USCAA rankings, having won their previous six contests.
The Lady Knights struggled from the onset of the contest, falling behind 14-2 in the first five minutes of the first quarter. A 3-point basket from York’s Michaela Fink, followed by another 3-pointer from Harper Poff allowed Penn State York to extend their early lead.
The Knights battled back over the second half of the quarter, with multiple buckets from Nadirah Tutler keeping Central Penn within striking distance early on, allowing the Knights to get back to a single-digit deficit.
With just over a minute left in the first quarter, 3-pointers from Poff and Delaney Burroughs helped Penn State York to extend their lead, going on an 8-0 run to end the quarter, allowing some breathing room going into the second quarter, 26-10.
The Lady Knights continued to hang close with Penn State York, with a 3-pointer from Icys Carroll in the early moments of the second quarter. But Burroughs got hot in the second, hitting a mid-range jumper and following up with an open 3-pointer at about the six-minute mark in the frame, giving York a 38-19 lead.
The Knights were able to keep pace with Penn State York throughout the rest of the second with clutch free-throw shooting, ultimately going a perfect 11-for-11 from the line throughout the contest. With about 22 seconds left, Tutler hit a lay-up to get the Knights to within striking distance for the second half, as the quarter ended with them down by a score of 48-25.
During a special halftime show for Hoop Knight, a community-focused event that also welcomed recruits, fans were invited onto the floor to shoot from different areas for a chance to win gift cards. Hoop Knight was sponsored by Verbal Dental.
The Lady Knights came out strong in the third quarter, starting off with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a Cayla Thomas 3-point play. The Central Penn defense played well, keeping Penn State York from scoring over the first several minutes of the quarter.
Unfortunately for the Lady Knights, this intensity was matched by York. Kaya Camasta was a force in the frame, hitting two key layups and grabbing six rebounds in the third quarter alone. Burroughs also nailed another 3-point basket, allowing Penn State York to pull away. Even with a Carroll 3-pointer, the Knights struggled to keep pace, down 65-36 after the third.
In the fourth, Penn State York continued their dominant ways, as Camasta hit another 3-pointer early on. And while the Lady Knights played solid defense, not allowing Penn State York to get to the free-throw line in the game’s final quarter, the Nittany Lions’ offensive output could not be matched. Three-point baskets from Camasta and Burroughs allowed Penn State York to pull away, winning the game in convincing fashion, 84-45.
The Weis Knightly News Player of the Game was Tutler, leading the Lady Knights with 20 points and tying for the team lead with nine rebounds. For Central Penn, Carroll added 14 points, while Madalyn Brymesser grabbed nine boards.
For Penn State York, all five starters scored in double digits, paced by Burroughs with 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. Poff added 15 points and six steals, while Skylar Curley had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Knights fell to 2-5 on the season. They will travel to Frederick Community College for a tilt this Wednesday night, then return home on Jan. 21 for a contest against Penn State Scranton.
The Knightly News Media Club will be broadcasting all of the Central Penn College men’s and women’s home games during the 2025-26 season. You can tune in at https://www.youtube.com/@KnightlyNewsCPC.
On this broadcast, Knightly News Hall of Famers Brian Christiana and Parker Rose were on the call, with Alex Foley producing the show.
