Pennsylvania Girls Seal Big 30 Senior Classic Win With Last-Minute Defense
By: Hunter Lyle | Olean Star | March 23, 2026 | Photo courtesy Paul Burdick
PORTVILLE, NY - From being behind, to finding a comeback, to fighting to survive, the Pennsylvania girl's Big 30 All-Star team found themselves on all sides of the action throughout Sunday's Big 30 Senior Classic. However, when the dust finally settled, the only thing that mattered about their side was that it was boasting a 59-57 win over New York.
Representing each side of the border was a collection of 24 athletes coming from 16 schools and two head coaches with respected and prominent programs. Trading in his usual Red and White for NY Blue was Joe Hinman, coach of the Salamanca girl's team, while Jamie Evens of Port Allegany donned the clip board and whistle for PA.
"For me, I'm honored, humbled and blessed," said Port Allegany head coach Jamie Evens. "I know what it means for these girls to be able to play one last game, and for me to be able to coach, not only my players but players I've coached against, is really just an honor."
Off of the jump, both teams swapped blows. The Empire State drew first blood with Portville's own Emma Rhinehart receiving the tip, taking two dribbles and cashing in on a shot from beyond the arc. The Keystone State responded not long after, as Brynn Evens (Port Allegany) pulled the trigger on an equally lengthy long ball. However, from there, PA stumbled.
Although Pennsylvania attempted to keep in stride with NY’s rapid fire action, their own offense couldn't amass the same burst, instead resulting in constant turnovers. Between bad or rushed passes, miscommunication and pesky hands in passing lanes, PA floundered, surrendering five consecutive giveaways and a 7-3 lead. After four minutes of searching for solid footing, their answer finally came from off the bench.
Rotating players in at four-minute intervals, PA's second squad finally began turning the tide. Lillian Steele (Northern Potter) struck the first spark, forcing back-to-back turnovers and coming away with four quick points to knot the game at seven, before Clara Steinberg (Eisenhower) picked up the torch. Pushing the pace with fast feet in transition, finesse around the rim and wide-angled court vision, Steinberg scored six quick points as PA put themselves in front for the first time all game.
"I wish I had ten (Steinbergs) all year long. The athleticism, court knowledge, you expect that in an All-Star game, but I thought she really pushed the tempo and got us going," said Jamie Evens. "The first five minutes was really a feeling-out process for everyone, and she got on the court and really got things moving."
Weathering the retaliatory gut punch, New York plodded a new path. With their offense still scoring sporadically, they instead pushed their bigs inside. Using the size advantage available from Ali Haynes (Portville) and Makenzie Crouse (Salamanca) and the scrappyness of Ryanne Bushey (Randolph), NY began asserting themselves on the offensive glass, crashing for several second chance points as they whittled away at the deficit to just three with eight minutes left in the half.
However, with a flurry of 3-pointers in the final minutes from Lexi Prince (Otto-Eldred), Jenna Renner (Port Allegany) and Lilly Clinger (Austin), PA rebuilt their cushion, finding themselves atop a 12-point advantage heading into the break.
Despite the intermission, New York wasted no time returning their focus to pursuing a comeback. Starting on the first possession of the second half, they jumped into action, with Ande Northrup (Ellicottville) coming away with back-to-back steals and five quick points. Once again pushed back onto their heels, Pennsylvania went over five minutes without a field goal. But once again, PA's second wind brought some relief.
Spearheading the effort, Steinberg put an end to PA's dry spell with a 2-for-2 trip to the line followed by a made triple. Despite NY's counter, Pennsylvania's rejuvenated offense kept them at arms length, rebuilding a double-digit lead.
However, New York still had time for one last surge. After falling behind by 12, Rhinehart found fire with a deep triple from the left wing. She duplicated the feat immediately after, kick starting a 15-4 run that brought NY back to wishing single digits.
"I was just excited and having fun," said Rhinehart, who ended with a team-high 11 points. "I like fast-paced games and that's what was happening. It was nice to play with girls that came up and down the court with me."
New York's run finally came to a head with less than six minutes to go when an offensive rebound and second chance score from Bushey put the Empire State on top for the first time since early in the first half. Now all they had to do was survive.
Pennsylvania, however, was not a team to give up easily. After every NY score, PA would find a way to retaliate until finally the budging offenses lay deadlocked at 57 with less than a minute to go.
With the shot clock turned off, NY held the ball, eyeing a shot from the right wing. However, as they went for the release, Steele struck from behind, scooping the ball away and scoring it on the other end. Having to intentionally foul and fortunately finding an empty PA trip to the free throw line, NY had one last chance to stay alive. But once again, their hopes were cut short as Renner plucked off a pass and sealed the victory for Pennsylvania.
"Defensively, I thought the girls really stepped up. That last group of girls that we had for the last four minutes had all played AAU ball together for a couple years, so they had a little bit of familiarity with each other, which in this game I think gives you that little advantage," said Jamie Evens. "We didn't hit many shots in those last four minutes, but we really dug in on defense."
Steele and Steinberg led the offense for Pennsylvania, ending with 12 and 10 points respectively. For New York, Rhinehart finished with 11 points, followed by Northrup's 10.
