By: John Knebels
WARMINSTER, PA – In the grand scheme of things, it will only go down as a very entertaining regular-season victory.
But Archbishop Wood’s 71-60 Catholic League Red Division win over visiting Neumann-Goretti on Jan. 21 inside a rocking gymnasium was, well, extremely impressive. In a meeting between two undefeated teams that most probably represented the eventual two finalists that will play for the league championship next month, the Vikings drew the first collective high five.
While the Vikings improved to 7-0, the Saints dropped to 6-1. The two squads meet again Feb. 1 at Neumann-Goretti.
“We’re celebrating this tonight and we really wanted this,” said Wood junior Kaitlyn Orihel. “But we just have to go in next time knowing that we have a target on our back and they want that next game more than this one. We have to go in there ready to play.”
The best player on the court, Orihel’s all-around effort was, in a word, scintillating.
En route to a game-high 32 points, Orihel spread the offense all game long. She scored four in the first quarter, nine in the second, a pivotal 13 in the third, and six more in the fourth. She swished – literally swished – all eight of her free throws.
Wood vs. Neumann-Goretti Highlight Video by John Knebels:
Although her teammates contributed mightily, including in ways that didn’t necessarily end up in the stat sheet, this was a physical concert that Orihel clearly wanted to conduct.
“This is always a great rivalry,” said Orihel, who needs only 10 points to reach 1,000, her next opportunity being 2:30 Sunday (Jan. 26) at Jefferson University versus Archbishop Carroll. “I really wanted this game, but I think we had different contributions from everyone.”
Indeed.
After struggling with her shot in the first half, sophomore sniper Ryanne Allen tallied 20 of her 22 points over the final two stanzas. Allen drilled four of her five three-pointers in the third, then converted each of her five three throws in the fourth quarter. She also chipped in five rebounds and three assists.
Kaitlyn Orihel led all scorers with 32 points:
Ryanne Allen trusted that her shot would start falling, she was right:
As a team, Wood connected on 16 of 18 from the charity stripe. The Vikings’ ability to take over the game in the second half was rooted in preparation. The Wood faithful that packed the gym appreciated the effort, at several points raising the decibel level to remarkable heights.
“The energy was incredible,” said senior Izzy Larsen, whose all-around contribution resulted in nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists. “You don’t see that at any gym for a high school girls’ basketball game.
“We practice a lot, and practice is no joke. He (Coach Mike McDonald) talks about having an environment at practice that is going to emulate exactly what we are doing out there. We are physical. We work hard. We go out and we are confident. We know the game plan. And we know we are going to make shots because we are putting up so many every single day after school.”
Larsen was asked about the unselfish nature of the Vikings, players such as senior Lindsay Tretter (five rebounds), sophomore Bri Bowen (four rebounds; smart, steady defense), and junior Noelle Baxter, who orchestrated a clinic on boxing out for rebounds.
“You have to be able to put your trust in anybody that’s out there on the court,” said Larsen. “Different people are going to be hitting on different nights. I try to do what I can every night. There are some things I can control. I know I can crash the boards every night. I know that I can get back on defense. That’s what I focus on. But there can be a different leading scorer every night with this team because we are so unselfish with the ball.”
Izzy Larsen describes the environment inside the Wood gym:
Sophomore guard Bri Bowen enjoys playing tough defense:
Noelle Baxter talks about Wood's unselfish approach:
Although Neumann-Goretti (14 three-pointers) stayed close behind star senior Diamond Johnson (29 points; seven three-pointers) and sophomore Mihjae Hayes (16 points; four three’s), there was a sense in the fourth quarter that the Vikings were in command even when their 55-46 lead dwindled to 63-60 with 2:18 remaining.
From that point, the Vikings scored the final eight points. Orihel converted a pair of one-and-ones for four points; Bowen pickpocketed Johnson at midcourt and drove in for a layup; and Allen dropped home two free throws.
“Sometimes you just have this feeling that you’re going to win the game, but that comes down to composure,” said Larsen. “Up by three, we got free-throw opportunities and we put them all in. We didn’t miss a single one in the fourth quarter. That’s huge. That means that we were focused and locked in the whole time. You gotta make those, because that’s what will win yourself a game.”
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
