Leer paces Ghosts to win over Pats

Abington's Emily Leer can play anywhere on the court, and coach Dan Marsh allows her to do just that. Just don't ask her what the score is during the game.

Her all-around play was never more evident than last night when the 6-foot-2 Villanova-bound senior pumped in 17 points - from all over the court - to lead the Ghosts into the PIAA Class AAAA girls' basketball elite eight with a convincing 50-31 second-round win over Central Bucks East at Norristown.

The District 1 champion Ghosts (25-4) will play Red Lion (26-4), a 37-33 winner over Council Rock South in another second-round game last night, on Friday night, at a time and place to be determined. Red Lion is the sixth-place team from District 3.

Abington left no doubt early who was in control last night. The Ghosts broke a 2-2 tie and went on to a 16-9 first-quarter lead which ballooned to 31-13 at halftime.

It was at that point, Abington's Jessica Schmidt said, that she felt her team had the win sewn up.

"Our defense was clicking," Schmidt said. "We didn't play our best against Hershey [a 42-38 opening-round win for Abington] so we wanted to make sure the defense was working tonight."

When Leer hit a three-pointer from well behind the arc near the end of the first quarter - it was her seventh point of the young night - it was obvious the offense was also working.

"We know what Emily can do," Marsh said. "She's versatile and if you give her room, she can hit from anywhere. She's basically unstoppable, at least in my opinion."

Hershey had hounded her, but Leer found enough openings against the Patriots. Although pegged by many as an inside player because of her height, she can just as easily play point guard.

She's so focused doing what she's doing at times that she has no idea what the score is. Last night was one of those times.

"I'd look up at the scoreboard but not long enough that I could calculate it," she said with a laugh. "I'm pushing because I thought we were only up by 10 points. It turned out that we were up by 20."

Her teammate, Aiyannah Peal, had nine points and helped spearhead the defense.

"We had a hard time against Hershey but the defense definitely played very well tonight," the senior guard said.

Central Bucks East, the sixth place team from District 1 and an earlier victim of Abington, finished 23-6.

Melissa Remmey led the Patriots with 12 points.

Central Bucks East 9 4 9 9 - 31

Abington 16 15 8 11 - 50

CBE: Liz Martin 7, Sara Martin 4, Christina Pogue 2, Jen Sanfilippo 1, Courtney McManus 3, Melissa Remmey 12, Alex Scrivano 2.

A: Emily Leer 17, Lauren Peretti 6, Jamie Schectman 3, Jessica Schmidt 11, Sheila Long 2, Aiyannah Peal 9, Sarah Listenbee 2.