Penn Cambria girls overcome adversity to defeat Lewisburg

Panthers advance to second round of state playoffs with gritty performance

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Penn Cambria girls basketball team overcame a slow start and some struggles shooting the ball to defeat Lewisburg 51-40 in the first round of the state playoffs. The Panthers relied on their trademark toughness and pressure defense to force turnovers and pull away late, led by a game-high 23 points from Rachel Fisher. Penn Cambria will now face Delone Catholic in the second round.

Why it matters

This win showcases the resilience and mental toughness of the Penn Cambria girls basketball team, which has been a key factor in their success this season despite facing some adversity. The Panthers' ability to adapt and grind out a victory against a tough Lewisburg squad demonstrates the team's championship pedigree as they continue their state playoff run.

The details

Penn Cambria struggled to pull away from Lewisburg for much of the game, with the Green Dragons keeping the score close through the first three quarters. However, the Panthers' pressure defense eventually took its toll, leading to turnovers that fueled a 7-0 run to end the third quarter and give Penn Cambria some breathing room. Rachel Fisher was dominant, scoring 23 points including 9-of-10 from the free throw line, while Avery LeMaster's 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter proved to be a key momentum swing.

  • Penn Cambria and Lewisburg played on Saturday, March 9, 2026.
  • The game was held at St. Francis University's DeGol Arena.
  • Penn Cambria will face Delone Catholic in the second round on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at Chambersburg Area High School.

The players

Josh Himmer

The head coach of the Penn Cambria girls basketball team.

Rachel Fisher

The leading scorer for Penn Cambria with 23 points, including going 9-for-10 at the free throw line.

Avery LeMaster

A Penn Cambria player who hit a key 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter.

Brent Sample

The head coach of the Lewisburg girls basketball team.

Teagan Osunde

The leading scorer for Lewisburg with 12 points.

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What they’re saying

“What allows us to be successful is just toughness. A lot of things didn't go our way. They broke our press at times. We didn't shoot the basketball very well today at all. In a couple of our losses this year, that's exactly what happened to us. My staff and I constantly preach to them just to be tough. Be mentally and physically tough, and that's what made us win today, our toughness.”

— Josh Himmer, Penn Cambria head coach (centredaily.com)

“We were definitely putting pressure on them. Our goal was to put pressure on them, make them dribble and trap them as much as we could, and get ball pressure. It definitely worked on some of the points I had.”

— Rachel Fisher, Penn Cambria player (centredaily.com)

“They're a pretty deep team. They're super-aggressive. They all get after it. They all hustle. We knew what we were getting into. It's really hard to mimic that kind of pressure. Our (junior varsity) girls did a really good job (of mimicking it). They forced us into too many turnovers, and foul trouble was the difference in the game.”

— Brent Sample, Lewisburg head coach (centredaily.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Penn Cambria-Delone Catholic second round matchup will advance to the state quarterfinals.

The takeaway

Penn Cambria's gritty, resilient performance in the face of adversity demonstrates the team's championship mettle and ability to overcome challenges through sheer toughness and determination. Their state playoff run continues to showcase the program's winning culture and the players' commitment to playing tough, disciplined basketball.