Seven Times News area basketball teams will play in District 11 semifinal games over the next two days.

Following are previews of the games:

TUESDAY’S GAMES

Girls Class 3A Semifinals

No. 5 Executive Education Academy Charter School (16-7) vs. No. 1 Palmerton (21-2)

TIPOFF

- Tuesday, March 1, 6 p.m. at Catasauqua.

COACHES

- Executive Education: Maurice Moore; Palmerton: Dan Beck.

LEADING SCORERS

- Executive Education: Shaylynn Waiters (16.7 ppg), Aubrey Pollard (11.8), T’nyah Riggins (9.7), Tiana “Yaya” Carey (8.2), Kimberly Madrid (3.5); Palmerton: Brianna Moore (15.4 ppg), Bethie Morgan (13.7), Raegan Nemeth (8.7), Sydney Frantz (6.0), Megan Matsko (5.1).

GAME NOTES

... Executive Education, the fifth seed, advanced to the semifinals with a 48-36 victory over No. 4 seed Notre Dame-Green Pond in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. No. 1 seed Palmerton received a bye into the semis. The Blue Bombers have been anxious to return to the court after being upset by Northwestern in the Colonial League championship game ... Palmerton last won a district title in 1997. It reached the finals in 2019, losing to Notre Dame-GP. A year ago, the Bombers fell to North Schuylkill (57-32) in the semifinals ... Notre Dame is the only common opponent for the two teams. Palmerton, like Executive in the district playoffs, defeated the Crusaders by a 48-36 score on Jan. 12 ... The Bombers are familiar with the Raptors’ second-leading scorer, Aubrey Pollard. The 5-9 sophomore guard played for rival Northern Lehigh last season ... Beck is impressed with Executive’s athleticism and physicality. “They’ll push you in a little bit, and then they’ll have good position on you and they can out-jump you,” said Beck ... The Palmerton mentor is concerned about the play of Riggins, stressing she’s really fast, runs up and down the whole court and is very tough defensively thanks to how quick she is with her hands ... In the other semifinal game, No. 2 seed MaST Community Charter School will face No. 3 Pine Grove. The winners of each semifinal contest will advance to Friday’s championship game, while the losers will play in a consolation game. Three teams from this class advance to the PIAA State playoffs.

QUOTABLE

... “I think it’s going to be a challenge. It really is. It’s going to be a challenge for us to keep up with them, but I think the girls have been practicing pretty good lately. They were at the game, saw the Notre Dame game with them, and they know what we must do. Hopefully, we can execute, and do the things that we need to do,” – Palmerton coach Dan Beck.

Boys Class 2A Semifinals

No. 3 Marian (15-7) vs. No. 2 Tri-Valley (18-5)

TIPOFF

- Tuesday, March 1, 5:30 p.m. at Pottsville.

COACHES

- Marian: John Patton; Tri-Valley: Mike Masser.

LEADING SCORERS

- Marian: Brendan Lonergan (18.27 ppg), Frank Valente (11.95), Julius Currie (8.86), Logan Fritz (8.73). Tri-Valley: Kade Deeter (17.3 ppg), Brody Smith (14.6), Layne Yoder (12.6), Jeremiah Umbenhauer (6.7).

GAME NOTES

... It’s been a strange season for the Colts, who have had their schedule significantly impacted by both COVID and the weather. Marian opened the season by playing just eight games through Jan. 20 (41 days). The Colts then closed the regular season with stretches where they played eight games in 13 days, and another where they played six games in 10 days ... “It’s been a struggle to keep the kids engaged and sharp when you have three or four days off where you thought you were going to practice - and then you have three or four games where you’re playing back-to-back-to-back,” Patton said. “Overall, I think we played well. I think we got better as the season went along, and we’re probably playing as good as basketball now as we have at any time during the season.” ... Marian and Tri-Valley met once during the regular season, with the Bulldogs prevailing 74-67 in a game played on Feb. 10 at Tri-Valley ... When the Colts take the floor on Tuesday, it will have been 12 days in between games ... Lonergan has been the Colts’ leading scorer and rebounder this season, while Valente, Fritz and Currie have all shown the ability to contribute double-digit scoring games. Lonergan leads all TN area boys in scoring at 18.27 points per game, while Currie’s 50 three-pointers are also the most in the area ... Marian’s last district win came in 2017 when it defeated Shenandoah Valley in the championship game. The Colts have lost their first game in districts each of the past four years (two quarterfinal round games and two semifinals) ... Marian loses Jose Espailliat-Turbi for the playoffs (because of the PIAA transfer rule). He will be replaced by sophomore Jose Ramirez. Isaac Ferrera and Jesse Rodino should be the top contributors off the bench.

QUOTABLE

... “We played them about two-and-a-half weeks ago and actually had a lead on them in that game, but they came back and they beat us by seven. They’re tough, experienced and mostly seniors. I think they start four seniors, and they’re well-coached. They have tough kids. They’re really hard to guard and do a really good job defensively, so it’s going to be a good matchup for us and a good test. I like the fact that it’s at Martz Hall. It’s a great venue that will add excitement to the game,” - Marian coach John Patton.

Girls Class 1A semifinals

No. 1 Marian (18-5) vs. No. 4 Weatherly (6-16)

TIPOFF

– Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 p.m. at Blue Mountain

COACHES

– Marian: Damian Fritz; Weatherly: Brian Billig.

LEADING SCORERS

- Marian: Carly Minchoff (9.78 ppg), Frankie Martinelli (9.18 ppg), Ashley Pleban (9.13 ppg); Weatherly: Bethany Houser (12.77 ppg), Emma Kane (11.68 ppg).

GAME NOTES

... Marian and Weatherly played twice during the regular season, with the Fillies defeating the Wreckers decisively in both meetings. Marian beat Weatherly 85-27 on Jan. 15, and 59-16 on Feb. 7. Carly Minchoff has been a tough match-up for the Wreckers, as she’s averaged 22 points per game in the two games the teams have played .... Marian will be without junior standout center Fatika Tikhtova in postseason play. Tikhtova was averaging 9.26 points and almost 10 rebounds per game. Tikhtova cannot compete due to the PIAA transfer rule that restricts any athlete from competing in the postseason who transfers to a school in the 10th grade or later. Tikhtova will be eligible to compete in the postseason next year... The Fillies will be looking to capture their 10th District 11 title in school history if they’re able to navigate through the 1A bracket. Marian last won a district title in 2014, defeating Shenandoah Valley for the gold ... Marian finished 5-11 in a pandemic-shortened season in 2021, which was its first losing season since 1993. The Fillies racked up 18 wins and won the Schuylkill League Division 3 title this season, qualifying for the Schuylkill League playoffs for the first time since 2016 ... Weatherly qualified for the district tournament despite having a losing record based on its rating points. A minimum of four teams qualify for districts in the seven-team Class 1A field, and the Wreckers edged out Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg for the fourth and final spot ... Fillies’ coach Damian Fritz is in his first season in charge of the program. Fritz replaced long time coach Paul Brutto, who stepped down from the position prior to the season ... The Marian-Weatherly winner will face either Pottsville Nativity or Lincoln Leadership in the district championship game ... The top two teams in Class 1A advance to the PIAA State Tournament.

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

Boys Class 3A Semifinals

No. 1 Executive Education Academy Charter School (11-7)

vs. No. 4 Palmerton (18-7)

TIPOFF

- Wednesday, March 2, 7 p.m. at Southern Lehigh

COACHES

- Executive Education Academy: Ray Barbosa; Palmerton: Ken Termini.

LEADING SCORERS

- Executive Education Academy: Jalil Schenck (16.00 ppg) Kobe Magee (15.69), Jeremiah Bembry (15.33), Moustafa Sanoh (5.00). Palmerton: Matt Machalik (16.92 ppg), Brayden Hosier (13.44), Chase Reph (7.64), Zack Anthony (4.08).

GAME NOTES

... Palmerton continued its strong season with a 62-51 victory over Salisbury in the District 11 3A quarterfinals. The Blue Bombers trailed at halftime by five points, before rallying in the second half to post the win and advance. Machalik had 26 points to lead the way, while Hosier scored 17 ... Palmerton now turns its attention to Executive Education Academy in the semifinals. The Raptors, the top seed in the bracket, had a first-round bye and are gunning for their fourth consecutive district title. They defeated Notre Dame-GP in last year’s championship game ... Executive only played two games against District 11 teams this season, defeating both Nativity (77-60) and Roberto Clemente (58-32). It has played most of its games (8) against District 12 schools, posting a 4-4 record. The Raptors have also faced teams from District 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as a team out of state ... Executive boasts two players headed to Division 1 college, with 6-6 guard Bembry going to Florida State, and the 6-6 Magee committing to Drexel. “I don’t think we’ve played a lot of teams that have two Division I scholarship players starting for them,” said Termini. “Clearly, they’re an outstanding team - a team that was literally a bucket away from beating Loyalsock last year in the state playoffs. And Loyalsock went on to win the state 3A championship. They’ve got tremendous size ... They have guards that are going to be playing at the next level in some of the best power conferences in the country.” ... Palmerton’s top two scorers received Colonial League honors this season. Machalik was a First Team selection, while Hosier made the Second Team ... The Bombers are 15-0 when they allow 50 points or less, and 3-7 when they give up more than 50 in a game ... The winner will meet either Notre Dame-GP or Dock Mennonite in the title game, while the loser will play in the consolation round.

QUOTABLE

... “Let’s face it, we have a team that over 60 percent of the minutes are going to sophomores, and less than 15 percent of the minutes are going to seniors. I think a lot of people thought this as a year of being able to get a glimpse of what Palmerton might be capable of over the next two years. This group, they’re not really satisfied with just showing people what we might be in the years to come. They kind of want to make a statement that we’re here right now and we can play some ball. I love that attitude about them. They’re a fearless bunch, they work hard, they’re good friends. They hang out together. There’s a lot of chemistry there, and it’s just a very fun group to be around.” - Palmerton head coach Ken Termini.

Girls Class 4A Semifinals

No. 1 Jim Thorpe (23-1) vs. No. 4 North Schuylkill (20-4)

TIPOFF

- Wednesday, March 2, 6 p.m. at Pleasant Valley.

COACHES

- Jim Thorpe: Nadia Gauronsky; North Schuylkill: Rich Wetzel.

LEADING SCORERS

- Jim Thorpe: Skyler Searfoss (14.38 ppg), Olivia Smelas (11.83), Leila Hurley (11.08), Leah Snisky (10); North Schuylkill: Maddy Wetzel (15.8 ppg), Kamryn Mengel (14.4), Katelynn Himes (10.8).

GAME NOTES

... Jim Thorpe and North Schuylkill will face off for the fourth and final time this season. The two squads faced off twice during the regular season, and then a third time in the Schuylkill League championship. The Olympians have won all three contests by double digit margins, including an impressive 20-point win on the road ... With a majority of its starting lineup exiting due to graduation after this season, Jim Thorpe will be looking to qualify for its fourth consecutive District 11 championship. The Olympians have yet to capture a district title during this most recent run, going 0-for-3, losing to Becahi twice and Central Catholic last season ... Thorpe’s balance on offense with four players in double figures is an obvious reason for its success, but the Olympians have also been good at getting to the foul line. They lead the area with 315 attempts, and shoot a very solid team percentage of 74% ... The Olympians have four players moving on to play Division 2 college basketball next season. Olivia Smelas and Leila Hurley will be heading to Kutztown, Skyler Searfoss to Holy Family and Leah Snisky to Georgian Court ... The winner of Wednesday’s game will meet either Lehighton or Central Catholic in the final, and will have clinched a state playoff berth. The loser will play in the consolation round.

QUOTABLE

... “We’re obviously very familiar with them. We’ve had a week to prepare for almost everything they can throw at us. We’re just looking forward to getting out there. Our goal is to come out and get off to a really good start, and get our offensive going right from the tip. I think our size can bother them again like it has in the past this season, and I think that will be key for us. But we know what’s at stake here, and these girls have goals and are determined to accomplish them.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Nadia Gauronsky.

Girls Class 4A Semifinals

No. 7 Lehighton (12-11) vs.

No. 3 Allentown Central Cath. (19-5)

TIPOFF

- Wednesday, March 2, 6 p.m. at Catasauqua.

COACHES

- Lehighton: Joe Berezwick; Allentown Central Catholic: Mike Kopp.

LEADING SCORERS

- Lehighton: Hailey Miller (13.3 ppg), Charli McHugh (8.4), Aaliyah Fisher (7.4), Taylor Bowman (6.5); Allentown Central Catholic: Julia Roth (13.0 ppg), Molly Driscoll (8.7), Madi Szoke (6.0), Hanna Hoeing (5.4), Abbey Kofroth (3.3), Armani Brickhouse (3.1).

GAME NOTES

... Lehighton knocked off No. 2 seed Northwestern, 37-34, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Meanwhile, No. 3 seed Allentown Central Catholic - the defending 4A champs - cruised to a commanding 51-25 win over No. 6 seed Pen Argyl on Saturday … The Indians’ memorable victory over the weekend ended a long playoff drought for the program. It was Lehighton’s first district win since 1997 when they downed Southern Lehigh in the quarterfinals. That year, it ended up losing to Central Catholic in the semifinals … As their numbers indicate, Roth (13.0 ppg, 311 points, 88 offensive boards, 73 defensive boards, 71 steals) and Driscoll (8.7 ppg, 208 points, 24 threes, 67 steals, 48 assists) are outstanding all-around players. Coach Berezwick, however, stressed his team can’t just concentrate on those two players because all their starters are talented ... This is Kopp’s farewell tour, as the legendary coach announced this will be his last season. Kopp has coached at ACC for 42 years and has led the Vikettes to five PIAA State titles, 21 district titles and 18 league titles. Central has played in 50 straight district tournaments. The last time it missed making the tourney was 1972 ... Berezwick’s most memorable coaching win came against Kopp and the Vikettes back in 2011. That year, as Tamaqua’s head coach, the Blue Raiders defeated ACC 46-42 to win a district title and end a run of 11 straight Central titles ... The winner will face either Jim Thorpe or North Schuylkill in Saturday’s district final. The loser will play a consolation round game.

QUOTABLE

... “We got to see them play, and we did some crunching of film because I’m superstitious on the standpoint of looking ahead. Very superstitious of doing a lot of homework and what they’re about. But the one thing I do know is Coach Kopp still does what he does best, and it’s pretty much he’s about old-school style of basketball of where he’s going to wear you down. He’s not that flash-and-dash kind of coach, as his team runs that flex offense. But they run it the best I have ever seen, year in and year out. It’s going to be a grind-it-out kind of game,” - Lehighton coach Joe Berezwick.