Girls’ Basketball: Top Four Teams in Regular Season Will Meet in the Catholic League Semifinals

By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: John Knebels, Donna Eckert & Mike Nance.

PHILADELPHIA – Since the collective opening tap more than two months ago, a common opinion supported the notion that this season’s edition of Philadelphia Catholic League girls basketball would be one to remember.

Indeed, that turned out to be accurate. The best, however, is yet to come.

In a doubleheader Feb. 20 at Jefferson University, the PCL’s Final Four will feature the regular season’s one-through-four finishers. At 6:30, two-seed Neumann-Goretti tackles three-seed West Catholic. In the nightcap, top-seed Archbishop Wood takes on four-seed Cardinal O’Hara. The two finalists will face each other on Feb. 24 at the Palestra.

Cardinal O’Hara Needs Extra Minutes to Advance

“I haven’t played at the Palestra, but it’s obviously a lot of fun and it’s everybody’s goal when the season begins,” said Cardinal O’Hara sophomore Maggie Doogan. “All the teams in the Catholic League are athletic and talented, but this is the time of the year when everyone has to really step up.”

On February 13, Doogan chose the perfect platform to “step up.” Against visiting five-seed Archbishop Carroll in a Catholic League quarterfinal, Doogan scored a career-high 18 points and snared a team-best seven rebounds to help the four-seed Lions survive a 50-47 overtime victory over the defending champion Patriots despite 21 points by Carroll senior Erin Sweeney.

Sophomore Sydni Scott contributed 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists while junior Amaris Baker scored 13. Junior Siobhan Boylan’s seven points and senior Steph Huseby’s five rebounds also proved large. The Lions, who trailed by 25-18 heading into intermission, finished 3-0 against Carroll, which is no small feat.

“Our rivalry is very real and it’s very intense,” said Doogan, who scored her team’s only basket in overtime, with the other points coming on two free throws by Baker and one by Boylan. “They’re a great team and very well coached. Every game is tight. Going into overtime against Carroll . . . the adrenaline was really rushing.”

Carroll vs. O'Hara PCL Quarterfinal Photos by Mike Nance

A delighted and relieved second-year O’Hara coach Chrissie Doogan experienced a myriad of emotions as she enjoyed her first-ever playoff victory.

“I’m just so proud of our girls,” she said. “It was a seesaw game and we regrouped at halftime and committed to playing defense. Carroll is a scrappy bunch, so we are excited to get the win.”

Archbishop Wood Employs Entire Roster

Heading into the quarterfinal contest between top-seed Archbishop Wood and eight-seed Lansdale Catholic, few knew what to expect. While the Vikings dominated the Red Division, the Crusaders performed likewise in the Blue.

Although Lansdale Catholic showed flashes of why it finished undefeated in the division while winning games by an average score of 37 points, Archbishop Wood dominated from start to finish for a thoroughly impressive 81-42 win.

Ignited by their 47-23 halftime lead, the Viking starters and top subs were able to watch their understudies take advantage of significantly more playing time than usual.

In less than three quarters of play, junior Kaitlyn Orihel (16 points, four rebounds), sophomore Ryanne Allen (11 points, eight in first quarter), senior Lindsay Tretter (13 points), sophomore Bri Bowen (11 points, five rebounds), and sophomore Shannon Morgan (11 points, four assists) reached double figures while senior Izzy Larsen added a game-best seven assists and junior Dana Kiefer snared four boards. In all, 13 different Vikings checked in, with 11 of them supplying offense.

“It makes us feel good about the future knowing that them getting minutes in this game will prepare them for games in the future,” said Orihel, whose 12 points in the first quarter ignited a commanding 29-13 lead. “Next year, they’ll be more prepared in the big moments.

Wood vs. Lansdale Catholic quarterfinal highlights by John Knebels & Donna Eckert

“Since we’re really close off the court, we love seeing those girls get these moments like this, and it’s just a lot of fun to be able to celebrate them.”

Junior starter Noelle Baxter agreed.

“They practice really hard and they work over the summer,” said Baxter. “It was great to see them knocking down some shots. They work every day and they push us. They played great today.”

After the game, Morgan stood with freshman Delaney Finnegan (six points on two three-pointers) and downplayed her own performance.

“My teammates give me confidence to shoot the ball,” said Morgan. “We just wanna take the breath out of the (opponent) and finish the game out because our starters work so hard.”

Added Finnegan: “In practice they’re always encouraging me and cheering me on. They make sure I know what I’m doing out there.”

Soph. Shannon Morgan & Fresh. Delaney Finnegan reflect on their opportunity of more playing time:

Senior Lindsay Tretter is very happy with the win, but sad that this was her last home high school game:

Kaitlyn Orihel & Noelle Baxter compliment the non-starters who helped Wood advance to the semifinals:

Balanced Neumann-Goretti Finishes Very Strong

After enduring a few proverbial punches early and trailing by 16-11 after one quarter, Neumann-Goretti controlled the final three quarters and defeated visiting seven-seed Archbishop Ryan, 67-34.

Senior Diamond Johnson tallied 18 points. Junior Sierra Bermudez’s 17 points included five treys. Sophomore Mihjae Hayes contributed 16 points, and junior Christa Ricks added 12. Ryan was aided by sophomore Tori Nigro’s 15 points and sophomore Gianna Grassifulli’s eight.

“We started off slow, but by the second quarter, we were playing well together,” said N-G coach Andrea Peterson. “Our shots were falling and we played well defensively.”

2020 PCL Red Division MVP Diamond Johnson tallied 18 points to propel the Saints to the PCL semifinals - PSD Photo by Donn Eckert

Burrs Make it Six Straight Victories

West Catholic forged a 37-23 lead and stopped six-seed Bonner-Prendergast, 63-47. A balanced attack was spearheaded by junior Destiney McPhaul (23 points, five assists, three blocks), junior Ciani Montgomery (16 points, four steals), junior Daziy Montgomery-Wilson (12 points), and senior Tamiah Robinson (eight points). Senior Alexis Gleason paced the Pandas with 20 points.

After starting the season 3-4, the Burrs have now won six straight games by an average score of 66-56.

“Bonner always plays very hard and hungry,” said West Catholic coach Beulah Osueke. “We really had to focus on doing the little things to secure a win. The game remained relatively close throughout all four quarters. I’m proud that maturity and experience helped us in the end. We’re glad to be moving forward; we’re focused on getting better.”

McPhaul waxed philosophical when asked about both the quarterfinal win and the upcoming semifinal.

“Success isn’t owned,” said McPhaul. “It’s leased, and rent is due every day. You are responsible for how people remember you – or don’t. So don’t take it lightly.”

Prendie vs. West Catholic - Photos by James Williamson

Catholic League Semifinals - Feb. 20 at Jefferson University

Game 1 at 6:30 p.m.: No. 2 Neumann-Goretti (10-3) vs. No. 3 West Catholic (9-4)

Regular Season: On Jan. 3, Neumann-Goretti defeated visiting West Catholic, 72-54. On Jan. 28, the Burrs edged the visiting Saints, 75-71.

Neumann-Goretti: Defeated its regular-season foes by an average of 65-56 . . . Overcame slow start to beat seven-seed Archbishop Ryan in quarterfinal, 67-34 . . . Against remaining playoff teams, went 3-3 with a scoring margin of 65-63.

Saints Coach Andrea Peterson: “In our game against West, it’s going to be a battle. We have to defend for 32 minutes and do the little things to advance.”

West Catholic: This has been a tale of two seasons. In first seven games, went 3-4 with an average losing margin of 61-60. Over final six games, including a 63-47 quarterfinal victory over six-seed Bonner-Prendergast, went 6-0 and won by an average of 66-56 . . . Was only team to defeat top-seed Archbishop Wood . . . Against remaining playoff teams, went 3-3 with a losing average scoring margin of 66-63.

Burrs Coach Beulah Osueke: “Goretti is gonna be a tough one. We have a similar style and they’re hungry to get back to the Palestra. We’re happy about tonight’s win, but starting tomorrow, we’re getting our minds right for Neumann.”

Game 2 at 8:00 p.m.: No. 1 Archbishop Wood (12-1) vs. No. 4 Cardinal O’Hara (8-5)

Regular Season: On Jan. 14, visiting Archbishop Wood beat Cardinal O’Hara, 66-43. On Feb. 6, the Vikings defeated the visiting Lions, 49-46, on a buzzer-beating three pointer by Kaitlyn Orihel.

Archbishop Wood: Won its first 10, lost to West Catholic, then won finale . . . Defeated eight-seed Lansdale Catholic in quarterfinal, 81-42 . . . Average margin during regular season was 64-46 . . . Against three remaining playoff teams, went 5-1 with an average scoring margin of 64-52.

Vikings Coach Mike McDonald:“We are looking forward to a competitive semifinal with O’Hara. We know beating a good team three times in one season is tough, but we are ready for the challenge. Our girls have been playing with a chip all season as they want to get back to the Palestra and win this time. We are ready.”

Cardinal O’Hara: Included in their five defeats, the Lions lost by four, two (in overtime), eight, and three points . . . Outlasted rival Archbishop Carroll in quarterfinal, 50-47, in overtime . . . Average margin of victory during regular season was 52-50 . . . Against three remaining playoff teams, went 1-5 with a losing scoring margin of 62-56.

Lions Coach Chrissie Doogan: “We are excited to get another chance at Wood. They have been the top team in the league all season, so it will be a challenge. We will have to bring out our ‘A’ game again.”

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)