NEW HOLLAND — His team scored a lot of points and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class AAA Tournament.

Archbishop Carroll coach Chuck Creighton wasn’t all smiles, though, as he talked before heading home from Garden Spot High, where the Patriots had defeated Eastern York, 69-56, Wednesday night.

“We played defense the first five minutes,” Creighton said. “After that we got a little too comfortable and relaxed too much. Give (Eastern) credit. They stayed in it. When it looked like we were pulling away, they’d bank in a (3-point shot) or do something to get right back in it.

“We’ve already talked about how (today) at practice we’ll be working on our defense.”

Carroll’s defense was as good as it gets for five minutes as the Catholic League and District 12 champs (27-1) earned a 15-1 lead. When the Knights got the first six points of the second period, Carroll’s lead had been cut to two points.

Hollie Mershon (23 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists) got 12 of her points and Caitlin Cole (19 points, 19 rebounds) had 11 points in the opening half as Carroll claimed a 33-24 advantage.

“We played hard defensively then stopped,” Creighton said. “We gave up 61 points to O’Hara and 62 in a game in Phoenix (Nike Classic in December), but I don’t think we should have given up 56 points tonight. That team did make shots and made it tough for us.”

Mershon shot 5-for-7 from the floor in the first half and was 4-for-4 in the third period.

“I just got into the flow of the offense,” Mershon said. “We played very good defense at the start. We had a scouting report and knew they had two good shooters that we had to be aware of.

“We always try to emphasize defense when we go out there. We have to be aware of things and help each other, but we weren’t always doing that.”

Eastern York cut into Carroll’s advantage in the third period before Mershon hit a pair of free throws and dropped in a 3-pointer. Her basket just before the buzzer sent the Pats into the last period with an 11-point lead.

Cole had six points in the third period, but missed her last four foul shots. A dozen of her rebounds came off the offensive glass.

“I’ve been in a slump,” the Holy Cross-bound senior said. “I just couldn’t finish.

“I knew tonight I had to focus on my shot a lot more. We know how it’s one game at a time now. We couldn’t think about playing the Mount if we didn’t win this game.”

Defending state champion Mount St. Joseph stands between Carroll and a chance to play in the semifinal round. The Pats will face The Mount in a quarterfinal contest Saturday.

Cole’s two missed foul shots in the fourth period were the only free throws Carroll did not convert after halftime. Kerri Shields (14 points, seven assists, five rebounds, one steal) was 7-for-7 at the line and Erin Shields (seven points, three assists, two steals) went 2-for-2.

“Caitlin played very well today,” Kerri Shields said. “And Hollie —wow. She had a great offensive game.

“I’m still not happy with my shooting and I don’t think any of us are happy about what happened on defense. We know we need to get a much better defensive effort in our next game.”

Each game Carroll plays in the state tournament is something new since Catholic League schools are PIAA postseason play rookies this year.

“It’s great to have a chance to go on,” Mershon said. “We want to make sure we play a lot stronger defensively for a lot longer next time.”