Panther Valley's Brenda Banks, top, looks to the official for the call as she pins Boiling Springs' Emily Dolan in 1:38 during a 235-pound bout at the PIAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)

HERSHEY — Alisa Williams was barely a .500 wrestler last season.

Now she’s in the state quarterfinals.

The Panther Valley junior 170-pounder, in just her second year in the sport, pinned York Suburban senior Angela Imorhoa in 5:09 on Thursday in the round of 16 at the PIAA Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Williams led a 3-for-3 effort from the local girls as Pine Grove senior Eve Kurtz (148) and Panther Valley junior Brenda Banks (235) advanced to the quarterfinals as well. Banks is a two-time state champion, while Kurtz earned an eighth-place medal last season at states.

Kurtz had the toughest day at the office, holding off Dover’s Jahzari Abney 5-4. Scoreless after one period, Abney took a 1-0 lead to the third when Kurtz’s last-second takedown attempt came up just short. In the third period, Kurtz scored a reversal to take the lead, but Abney escaped to tie the bout 2-2. Kurtz kept pressing the action on her feet and eventually latched onto a single-leg shot and finished with 57 seconds to go for a 5-2 advantage.

Abney, though, wouldn’t go away, scoring a reversal and doing everything she could to score back points. Kurtz refused to turn over and held on for the one-point victory.

“That wasn’t the best I’ve wrestled, not even close,” Kurtz said. “It was a good match to get my nerves out. They’re gone. So, hopefully, I’ll just let loose more in the upcoming matches. … The first one always gets to me. … I was in better shape. I was tired, but she was more tired.”

Next up for Kurtz (31-5) is West Regional champion Elaina Ashby (30-4) of Trinity, who put a 16-1 technical fall in 4:08 on West Branch’s Gabrielle Bambarger.

Later in the round, Banks made quick work of Boiling Springs’ Emily Dolan, scoring a quick takedown on a crisp outside shot and cranking Dolan onto her back at 1:38.

Next in line for Banks (33-1) is Central Regional third-place finisher Leah Nason (21-10) of Athens, who knocked off Sharpsville’s Bella White 5-2.

“It feels really good,” Banks said. “I’m excited to be back here.”

Banks, though, was more excited to talk about her teammate Williams, who is a frequent training partner.

“It means the world to me,” Banks said. “I love Alisa so much. Our families have been close since we’ve been younger. … She really is like, and always has been, a sister to me. To see her improve so much from last year, I’m so proud of her and amazed by the way she improved.”

Williams scored a first-period takedown, and she led 4-2 heading to the third period. Imorhoa rode tough on top but couldn’t turn Williams to her back. So Imorhoa gave up the escape and went for the tying takedown. Williams fended off the shot and drove Imorhoa to her back for the pin.

“Everything happened in a flash,” Williams said. “She was going for a shot. I saw it coming. I just sprawled on it really hard and then just halfed her arm.

“It means the world to me to be doing a sport that I love and getting this far in the sport,” Williams added. “I’ve been putting in so much work to be where I am today. I want to keep improving every step of the way.”

Next in line for Williams (33-8) is Central Regional runner-up Kendall Wagner (26-7) of Central Mountain. Wagner pinned Seneca Valley’s Hannah Hornick in 4:42.

And what’s it like working with a two-time state champion in the practice room?

“Brenda is a phenomenal person,” Williams said. “She’s the best partner someone can wish for. She’s helped me so much. Iron sharpens iron. It’s the best working with her.”

Day 2 action for the girls begins at 11:45 a.m. with the championship quarterfinals. The second round of consolations will follow at 1:15 p.m. After a break, the girls will compete in the championship semifinals at 7 p.m., followed by the third round of consolations at 9 p.m.

PIAA Wrestling Championships

At the Giant Center, Hershey

GIRLS

Thursday’s local results

Round of 16

148 — Eve Kurtz (Pine Grove) dec. Jahzari Abney (Dover), 5-4

170 — Alisa Williams (Panther Valley) pinned Angela Imorhoa (York Suburban), 5:09

235 — Brenda Banks (Panther Valley) pinned Emily Dolan (Boiling Springs), 1:38

Friday’s matches

Championship Quarterfinals

148 — SE-2 Eve Kurtz, Pine Grove sr., 31-5 vs. W-1 Elaina Ashby, Trinity, jr., 29-4

170 — SE-4 Alisa Williams, Panther Valley, jr., 33-8 vs. C-2 Kendall Wagner, Central Mountain, jr., 26-7

235 — SE-1 Brenda Banks, Panther Valley jr,, 33-1 vs. C-3 Leah Nason, Athens, jr., 21-10