Rick O'Brien: Preview of PIAA girls' state basketball championships

The PIAA state girls' basketball tournament will begin tonight, with first-round action in the Class AAAA and AA brackets. Tomorrow, play will tip off at the Class AAA and A levels.

Here is a look at opening-round games for area squads, along with the predicted winner in each:

Spring Grove (18-10) vs. Downingtown East (25-2).

The Rockets, who held York-Adams League foes to 34 points a game, are led by 5-foot-7 junior Codi McMaster. Last year, the Cougars opened with District 2 runner-up Abington Heights and won, 36-30. This time, they advance in easier fashion.

Pick: East, 48-23.

Central (18-6) vs. West Chester Henderson (21-6). For the Lancers, the key is not allowing powerful forward Shante Evans to own the painted area. Janaa Pickard and Isabella Ross, with help from Brittany Harriott, will be assigned that task.

Pick: Henderson, 46-41.

Central Bucks East (24-3) vs. Red Lion (19-7). Despite being a No. 6 seed, the Lions advanced to the semifinals of the District 3 tournament. Red Lion's youth will be a factor against the deeper Pats.

Pick: C.B. East, 49-44.

Council Rock North (22-5) vs. Cardinal O'Hara (23-2). The Indians hit the skids in the District 1 playoffs and finished eighth. Tonight, they pay the price for that disappointing showing.

Pick: O'Hara, 52-37.

Upper Darby (23-4) vs. Bethlehem Liberty (19-7). The Hurricanes won their first District 11 title since 1999-2000 without the program's all-time leading scorer, Dana Wieller. The senior quit the team in January. That catches up to Liberty.

Pick: Upper Darby, 42-35.

Carlisle (17-10) vs. Lower Merion (24-3). For the Thundering Herd, Senada Mehmedovic, a junior point guard, averages 18.8 points per game and has hit 40 treys. Carlisle does not defend especially well.

Pick: Lower Merion, 39-31.

Reading (24-2) vs. Cheltenham (25-2). Junior guard/forward Deva'Nyar Workman (18.3 ppg.) and senior guard/forward Leola Pinkney (16.0 ppg.) lead the way for the Red Knights. The playoff-savvy Panthers find a way to win.

Pick: Cheltenham, 48-43.

University City (18-7) vs. Northampton (19-7). District 11's runner-up is sparked by 1,000-point scorer Megan Bowen, a 6-2 senior center who averages 10.7 points.

Pick: Northampton, 63-38.

Great Valley (25-4) vs. Central Dauphin (28-1). The Patriots are pitted against the defending state champions. Alyssa Thomas, a Maryland recruit, averages 19.5 points and 13 rebounds a game.

Pick: Central Dauphin, 62-43.

Archbishop Ryan (19-6) vs. Downingtown West (18-9). The Ragdolls, under first-year coach Jaclyn Hartzell, have made great strides. The Whippets have struggled mightily since beating C.R. North in the district quarterfinals.

Pick: Ryan, 40-37.

Springfield-Delco (22-3) vs. Prep Charter (20-7).

The Huskies, led by senior guard Raven Jones, have speed to burn. For the Cougars, MyNeshia McKenize (11.3 ppg.) heads a balanced attack. We smell an upset.

Pick: Prep Charter, 36-35.

West York (23-6) vs. Archbishop Carroll (25-1). The Bulldogs are experienced, with four third-year junior starters. That will mean little against the Patriots.

Pick: Carroll, 58-36.

Archbishop Wood (20-6) vs. Mount St. Joseph (26-1). On paper, this matchup is the best of all 64 girls' first-round games. The Vikings are sparked by Ashley Robinson. The Magic have Elle Hagedorn. Since we like the Mount's supporting cast a bit more, we're leaning that way.

Pick: Mount, 43-40.

Villa Maria (20-7) vs. Lampeter-Strasburg (25-3). The Pioneers have a pair of double-digit scorers in senior guards Lisa Boyer (16.4 ppg.) and Danielle Rittenhouse (14.1 ppg.).

Pick: Villa Maria, 59-42.

Delone Catholic (24-4) vs. Freire Charter (23-3).

Led by 5-11 freshman point guard Sierra Moore (17.9 ppg.), the Squires have too much firepower for the Dragons.

Pick: Delone, 53-36.

Springfield-Montco (10-15) vs. Lancaster Mennonite (25-3). The Spartans will have to closely guard 5-10 senior and Maine recruit Katelyn Vanderhoff (21.4 ppg.) and 6-1 senior center Erin LaVenice (12.8 ppg.).

Pick: Lancaster Mennonite, 49-30.

Notre Dame-Green Pond (17-10) vs. Kennedy-Kenrick (4-19). Melissa Degenhart, Liz Demko, and Leigh Ann Lively each average eight points a game for the Crusaders.

Pick: Notre Dame, 57-25.

Mid Valley (15-11) vs. St. Pius X (20-6). Jordan Pasik, Melissa Mansur, and Chrissy Esbensen lead the Winged Lions into the second round.

Pick: St. Pius X, 67-38.

Bodine (16-5) vs. York Catholic (22-6). The Irish, spearheaded by sophomore Kady Schrann (18.4 ppg.), have won three straight state championships.

Pick: York, 54-29.

Girard College (14-11) vs. Math, Civics & Sciences (6-8).

Behind Kahleah Copper (18 ppg., 10 rpg.), the Girard Cavaliers win.

Pick: Girard, 33-24.

Camp Hill (12-12) vs. Sacred Heart (8-17). It's Lions vs. Lions. Not much height on either side. We're going with the Lions from Bryn Mawr.

Pick: Sacred Heart, 32-29.

Delco Christian (20-7) vs. Greenwood (15-11). The Wildcats are fueled by a pair of sophomores: 5-11 Autumn Pellman (12 ppg.) and Rebekah Goodling (7.3 ppg.).

Pick: Greenwood, 45-28.