DANVILLE - Isabella Stellar has been overshadowed most of the season due to the talented cast that surrounds the quiet guard.
Wednesday, the sophomore came through at both ends of the floor to lead a balanced attack as Mount Carmel Area advanced to the District 4 Class AA title game with an impressive 73-44 semifinal triumph over Muncy at the Whitey McCloskey Center.
The Red Tornadoes' victory sets up a rubber match with backyard rival Southern Columbia 5 p.m. Saturday at Shamokin.
Stellar contributed 16 points and grabbed six rebounds as the winners (21-4) placed four players in double figures and outscored the Indians (17-7) 56-29 over the last three quarters after a slow start as Mount Carmel earned the opportunity to defend its title.
"We had a problem getting started and into that game mode after our layoff," head coach Lisa Varano said. "It took us about one quarter to settle down and after that our players went out and played great basketball."
Muncy took advantage of the home team's sluggish start to grab a 13-8 lead midway through the opening period behind sophomore Brianna McLaughlin, who tallied nine of her team's 15 points, inluding a pair of 3-pointers, in the quarter.
The Indians took their final lead, 22-21, on McLaughlin's third trey of the half but that was the end of the good times for the fifth seed as the Red Tornadoes' overall size and depth took over.
Raybuck provided the Red Tornadoes with the lead for good on a long three-pointer, 24-22, and Ali Varano then contributed eight of the next 10 points to run the lead to 34-25.
"We knew that Muncy had very good guards so we went out and pressed them in the second quarter to try and get the ball out of their hands as much as possible," Varano said. "What was so important was we not only forced them into turning the ball over but were able to
convert those mistakes into points at the other end of the floor, which took them out of their game plan."
Varano collected eight points in the 25-14 second quarter outburst, Raybuck followed with seven and Perles chipped in with six.
If there were any hopes of a miracle comeback by the Indians or the hopes of making the matchup competitive the Red Tornadoes dashed all hopes in the third period by outscoring Muncy, 22-5, to turn the contest into a rout.
Stellar and Paige Hornung each buried a three-pointer while Raybuck and Perles both scored easily in the paint while the defense allowed Muncy just two field goals in 22 attempts while forcing six turnovers.
"Our play in the third quarter provided the entire team with plenty of confidence," Varano said. "And our depth was put on display as the players who came off the bench not only gave the starters a break but also contributed in the scoring and defensive play."
Perles led the winners with 18 points followed by Stellar's 16 with Varano chipping in with 15 and Raybuck adding 11. The Red Tornadoes dominated the play on the board with a 35-26 edge and forced the Indians into 22 turnovers while committing just 14.
Game Summary
MUNCY (44) - Crystal Good 1 0-0 2, Brianna McLaughlin 8 0-0 19, Gina Paisley 0 0-0 0, Jordan Jones 6 6-7 19, Charity Good 1 0-0 2, Nicole Scott 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 6-7 44.
MOUNT CARMEL AREA (73) - Jen Bolick 2 0-0 4, Paige Hornung 2 0-0 6, Ali Varano 6 3-5 15, Christina Perles 6 6-7 18, Isabella Stellar 7 1-1 16, Ana Raybuck 5 0-0 11, Allison Parker 1 1-2 3. Totals 29 11-15 73.
3-point FGs: Muncy (4) - McLaughlin 3, Jones; Mount Carmel (4) - Hornung 2, Raybuck, Stellar.