What a difference a year makes. After falling to Hempfield a year ago Lancaster-Catholic returns to the Lanc-Leb finals against Ephrata with a chip on their shoulder.

The Crusaders started out strong with a Jeriyah Johnson three to open the game and never looked back. The devastating inside-out attack between Johnson and Sophomore forward Rylee Kraft really made the game tough on the Mounts.

The offense not the only thing clicking, the Crusaders held Ephrata to just five points as a team in the second quarter. Going into halftime with a 32 to 19 lead.
Johnson would continue her hot shooting in the second half. She finished with a team high of 18 points and racked up a couple of steals as well. Her backcourt mate, Mary Bolesky, added seven points to Johnson’s 18 and Kraft’s 14.

The Mounts were led by the newest member of the 1,000 point club, Jasmine Griffin, who poured in 23 points but it wouldn’t be quite enough as the Crusaders go onto win 58 to 43.

The Crusaders head into district play as the number five seed.

This was their fifth L-L League finals in a row. And 16th L-L League Title.

For Ephrata it was their first finals title game in 31 years.

This is the Lancaster-Lebanon League girls basketball 50th anniversary this season.

And no team has dominated more than Lancaster Catholic. The Crusaders own 24 section championships and 15 league titles. Manheim Township and McCaskey are at 12 section crowns apiece, while Cedar Crest (7), Manheim Township (7) and McCaskey (5) slot in behind Lancaster Catholic for most league titles.