MANHEIM – While two NEPA Elite teams were playing for titles Tuesday, two others wrapped up competition in The Hoop Group Girls Championship Weekend.

A recap of the games for the Macciocco 16U and Rini 15U teams:

NEPA Elite Macciocco 16U

The NEPA Elite Macciocco 16U team had a lead get away in a 58-48 loss to the New York Royals 2024 HGSL in a 16U HGSL Division losers’ bracket game in the morning, then received a forfeit from EVO Elite 16U HGSL in the scheduled final game of the bracket.

Finley Bittenbender went 8-for-11 from the floor, including 3-for-6 on 3-pointers to lead NEPA Elite with 19 points.

Gabby Marsola scored 10 points and Elizabeth Viglone added 7.

Elyse Montgomery grabbed seven rebounds.

NEPA Elite led 13-4 and 16-6 early.

New York fought back with an 8-2 run to end the half and get within 26-25.

Bittenbender is from Scranton, Marsola from Wyoming Valley West, Viglone from Dallas and Montgomery from Honesdale.

NEPA Elite Rini 15U

Isabella Dennebaum finished off a strong all-around game by scoring the first four points of overtime as the NEPA Elite Rini 15U team defeated Potomac Valley Thunder 15U HGSL, 53-48, in a 15U HGSL Division losers’ bracket game.

NEPA Elite won two out of three games after being knocked out of the title race with a loss in Sunday’s first round.

Dennebaum did not miss a shot, making her five attempts from the floor, including a 3-pointer, and three free throws. She finished with a team-high 14 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and led the team with 3 steals.

Maggie Coleman was 4-for-8 with a pair of 3-pointers while adding 11 points.

Jenna Hillebrand had nine points, four rebounds and two steals.

Madeleine Walsh had six points and four rebounds.

Ella Smith contributed five points, two assists and two steals.

The game was tied, 48-48, at the end of regulation, setting up the Elam Ending, an untimed overtime procedure where the first team to score five points wins.

After Dennebaum hit a basket and two free throws, Smith locked up the win with a free throw.

Maggie O’Shea added five points, a team-high six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Dennebaum and Hillebrand are from Scranton Prep. Coleman and Walsh are from Abington Heights. Smith is from Wallenpaupack and O’Shea is from Scranton.

MORE COVERAGE

The Clark 17U team made its third straight HGSL final. Details: https://nepaelite.com/2022/07/clark-17u-team-places-second-in-hgsl/.

The Clark 13U team played up an age group and won the 14U Platinum Division title. Details: https://nepaelite.com/2022/07/clark-13u-team-tops-older-opponents-for-title/.