By: Rachel Macauley
PHILADELPHIA- With Thursday’s 63-24 landslide win over Archbishop Ryan, the Archbishop Wood girls’ basketball team remains 6-0 in the PCL Red division.
When asked how he keeps his girls focused and poised on an undefeated track, head coach, Mike McDonald said, “We’re constantly focusing on us and getting better as individuals and as a team.”
The Archbishop Wood Vikings came out energized and determined to keep their winning record intact. With senior guard Izzy Larsen starting the game off with a three pointer, the ball kept landing in the right hands for Wood and by the end of the first half the Vikings were up 44-8.
Archbishop Wood had stellar performances from sophomore guard Ryanne Allen, who was the team’s leading scorer with 12 points as well as junior guards Noelle Baxter and Dana Kiefer who both totaled 10 points respectively. It was a total team effort, as the Vikings had 12 players score, including rising freshman guard Campbell McCloskey who notched her first varsity basket.
Archbishop Wood’s junior guard Kaitlyn Orihel attributed her teams’ success to the hard work the Vikings put in during the week.
“We show up to practice everyday and work hard and we have great chemistry,” Orihel said. “We have so much fun and every practice is competitive.”
Ryan vs. Wood Game Highlights by Rachel Macauley:
For a young team like Archbishop Ryan, their spark never dwindled. Having only eight points coming out of the first half, the Ragdolls were determined to turn lemons into lemonade and play their hardest, resulting in 16 points in the second with freshman power forward Mia Stock leading her team with seven points.
Looking Ahead: Archbishop Wood looks to keep their winning streak alive at their next game at home Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. against Neuman-Goretti. The Saints are the only other undefeated squad in the PCL Red division. Archbishop Ryan (0-7) will play Cardinal O’Hara (4-3 PCL) at home also on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 7 p.m.