Altoona girls basketball in Blair County PA

In a thrilling PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal matchup, the Altoona girls basketball team edged out Cardinal O'Hara with a 38-37 overtime victory at Cumberland Valley High School.

This win marks Altoona's first advancement to this stage in the state playoffs in two decades.

Senior point guard Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore led the charge, scoring 16 points and demonstrating exceptional leadership on the court.

Sophomore wing Brionna Hudson, already attracting Division I college offers, added nine points, while junior guard Raylin Eyer contributed 12 points, including crucial three-pointers that ignited Altoona's comeback.

Cardinal O'Hara, a team with a storied history of success, including state championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024, found themselves in an uncharacteristic position.

Senior Brigidanna Donahue delivered an impressive performance with 19 points, but the team struggled to find their rhythm against Altoona's tenacious defense.

O'Hara coach Chrissie Duggan acknowledged the team's challenges, stating, "The whole game, I didn’t think we took good shots. I don’t think we played O’Hara basketball."

Altoona's coach Chris Fleegle praised his team's defensive efforts, noting, "We needed to (defend) that hard, and we did. Great technique and great effort."

The game remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads.

In the final moments of regulation, Hudson's free throws tied the game, leading to overtime.

During the extra period, Nguyen-Moore's decisive drives and Hudson's clutch free throws secured the victory for Altoona.

This victory propels Altoona into the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Upper Dublin vs. Archbishop Carroll matchup.

The community eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Altoona's remarkable playoff journey.