WRIGHT TWP. — When Crestwood needed a jolt of energy on Saturday afternoon, guard Jordan Andrews was there to provide it. And when the Comets needed to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, Andrews came through once again.

The junior guard scored a season-high 13 points and her on the ball pressure created havoc from the opening tip until the starters left the floor in a 51-39 victory over Manheim Central in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament.

With the win, the Comets continued to make history. A week after winning the program’s first-ever district title, the Comets won their first state tournament game.

“You can always rely on her defense, she is one of the quickest girls I have ever seen,” Crestwood coach Mary Mushock Namey said of Andrews. “Defense is her game. I always say her defense leads to her offense. That is actually what happened today.”

Crestwood, now 22-4 on the season, will advance to Wednesday’s second round to play at a site and time to be announced. Manheim Central, the No. 4 seed from District 3, ends its season 17-10.

Andrews scored Crestwood’s first four points of the game to shake off what was a sluggish beginning as far as the Comets are concerned. With Manheim Central looking to control the pace and slow the game down, the Comets began trapping and jumping the pass to create turnovers and speed the game up. They forced seven Manheim Central turnovers in the first half to lead 28-17 going to the third quarter.

“Defense wins championships, that’s what we did,” said Andrews. “We are a quick team, we play with speed. We try and move the ball quickly and make good passes to the bigs. When we are open we have to take shots and knock them down.”

Crestwood had a slow start to the third quarter and the Barons took advantage. Crestwood turned the ball over six times in the third quarter and Manheim Central used a 13-3 run to close within 31-30 with 1:35 left in the quarter. Crestwood’s three points up to that point came from the foul line.

The Comets closed the quarter on a 7-2 spurt capped by an Andrews steal and layup to lead by six points going to the fourth. On Crestwood’s first possession after the Barons made it a one-point game, Manheim Central’s Laken Zeiset was called for a flagrant foul with 1:30 left in the quarter. Jackie Gallagher made two free throws and Kendall Petrosky made a 3-pointer leading up to Andrews finishing the run.

“I don’t know why we came out like that in the second half,” Mushock Namey said. “I think we felt comfortable with the lead and (Manheim Central) wanted it a little more. It actually took them getting back in the game to get us a little more motivated. That’s the one thing about these girls, they know exactly what they need to do when they need to do it.”

After Manheim Central cut the Crestwood lead to six points with 4:34 left in the game and appeared to have a little bit of momentum, Andrews helped put the game out of reach with a 3-pointer to push the lead back to nine. Charlie Hiller then scored off a baseline move to spark an 8-0 to put the game well out of reach.

“I think our energy was a little high, that is what made us sloppy in the third quarter,” Andrews aid. “We had to slow down a bit and maintain our game to secure the win. That is what made us come out on top.”

Villa Maria Academy 54, Dallas 45: At Wissahickon High School, Dallas took a 20-15 lead at the break, but Villa Maria Academy netted 39 in the second half to advance.

Villa Maria used a 19-13 edge in the third quarter to lead by one heading into the fourth. There, The District 1 third-placer outscored Dallas by eight to advance.

Odessa Kanton led the way for Dallas (15-11) with 14 points. Mia DelGaudio added 11 points, and Brianna Casey netted 10.

Ava Broadhurst paced Villa Maria (15-12) with 22 points.

Northwest Area 71, Lackawanna Trail 51: In Shickshinny, Northwest jumped out to a 17-8 lead after one quarter as the Rangers advanced in the PIAA Class 2A boys’ basketball playoffs with a 20-point win over Lackawanna Trail.

Northwest netted 23 points in the second quarter to take a comfortable lead into halftime, and pulled away with a 21-point fourth quarter.

The Rangers (23-3) had four players in double figures. Ryan Miner led the team with 17 points, while Josh Miner hit four 3-pointers in a 16-point effort. Tucker Crawford chipped in 14, while Brady Shea had 12.

Jake Antolick and Jimmy Phillips combined for 34 of the Lions’ (14-12) 51 points.

Northwest plays District 3 champ York Catholic on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.