The Penn Manor Lady Comets defeated the Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers 40-34 to move on the semifinals in the LL League playoffs.

After winning their first section title in 47 years, they will now play Ephrata, who defeated Manheim Central on Tuesday.

Lily Sugra scored 17 points to lead the Comets and she came up with a pair of baskets that gave the Comets a late 5-point lead that put the game out of reach for the Pioneers.

This was the first game that the Comets were held to no more than 40 points in nearly a month.

The Section Three co-champion Pioneers (14-8) had four chances to tie or go in front in the final 5:05 of the game, but came up empty on each opportunity, including a missed layup that would have tied it with 15 seconds left.

L-S held a 5-0 lead early on thanks to a 3-pointer from Jenna Daveler (10 points, three steals) and a layup from Katie Ranck (seven points, 13 rebounds). Penn Manor came up empty on its first seven trips down the floor until a 3-pointer from Morgan Miller (11 points) at the 2:10 mark of the first quarter. A layup from Sugra (17 points, five rebounds) tied it at 5-5 before the end of the frame.

L-S will now prepare for the 16-team District 3-5A tournament, which begins Feb. 22, with the Pioneers likely matching up with York Suburban.

The Comets will enjoy their amazing season in the semifinals omg Tuesday.

Photo: Lily Sugra above.