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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: PCL Girls Remain Hopeful and Reflect on What it Takes to Win a State Title

By John Knebels, 04/03/20, 4:00PM EDT

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By: John Knebels

Videos/Photos: Mike Nance, Kathy Leister, Donna Eckert & Angelise Stuhl.

PHILADELPHIA –With the coronavirus COVID-19 still sending shockwaves throughout most of the world, and life as we knew it altered like an exaggerated sci-fi movie script, high school basketball remains in limbo.

As late as March 30, the PIAA announced that future decisions regarding resumption of winter high school sports and commencement of spring activities depend on guidelines outlined by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. While it would appear doubtful that scholastic athletics will resume any time soon, the PIAA is taking a tempered approach regarding the remainder of the state tournament that had reached the quarterfinals on March 11 before being suspended indefinitely.

Six Catholic League girls’ teams (and five boys’ teams) remain in the hunt for a coveted state crown. Three players from each of the girls’ squads were asked the following question: What is it that makes you confident to believe that your team has/had what it takes to win the state title? 

Many of the tense references were justifiably disjointed. Some spoke in the past, some in the present, others in the future. While several answers were understandably redundant, others offered a particularly solid argument that a tournament cancellation is all that stands/stood in the path of three more victories.

West Catholic (District 12, one seed; 22-6 overall record) – Winners of 11 straight and Philadelphia Catholic League champions, the Burrs easily handled Susquenita (91-38) and Loyalsock Township (62-39). Next up: A daunting task versus seriously talented Dunmore (2-1; 26-1), which had defeated PCL’s second-place Neumann-Goretti by 65-51 in the second round.

Kaori Saunders, senior– “I believe that my team has what it take to win the state title because we didn’t just wake up and want it; we fought for it. There was a time where nobody knew of us, a time where nobody believed in us, and all we had was each other. We believe in each other; we fought for each other. It wasn’t about the next game, the next opponent, the next basket. It was always about family and how we could improve ourselves (team), then to improve our game. So yes, I believe my team has what it takes because our goals are bigger than basketball.”

Destiney McPhaul, junior– “We play as a team and we play hard. I don’t think there is a team that can outwork us. With that and the chemistry that we have, we’re unstoppable.”

Before entering the PIAA tournament, the West Catholic Lady Burrs finished the regular season as 2020 PCL Champions! Relive the excitement from the Palestra:

Tamiah Robinson, senior – “In the beginning of the season we had a slump, but we didn’t give up through all the adversity we had been through. We had the momentum. We were feeling confident, and we trusted one another. Once we have all those things together, I feel like no one can stop us.”

Archbishop Wood (12-1; 21-7) – The regular-season PCL champ Vikings were able to basically employ their second team during lopsided victories over Berks Catholic (70-37) and Twin Valley (79-45). Climbing the ladder requires stopping rival Archbishop Carroll (12-3; 17-10) for the third time this season.

Kaitlyn Orihel, junior– “This year, we had great team chemistry and really played for each other. We competed every day in practice and we shared common goals. After losing in the PCL championship, we refocused ourselves and wanted the state championship more than anything. We had been playing really well at this point in the season and I feel like we were still continuing to improve as a team. I definitely think we had all the pieces this year to win a championship and were willing to do whatever it took to hold up that trophy in Hershey.”

Lindsay Tretter, senior– “I really believe that we have what it takes to win the state title. We played against the best competition all throughout the year, not only in the Catholic League, but in tournaments, too. Playing those games made us a much better team and prepared us for the state tournament. We also play really well with each other and we play for one another. There’s no individual stuff on our team. We play for the person next to us and make sure everyone does their job. We practice hard every day and push each other to be the best that we can be, and I think we are more than capable of winning that title.”

Izzy Larson, senior– “There's something really special about being on a team where everyone's number-one goal is to win for the person next to them, not themselves, and I feel that that's what we have this year. 

On Wednesday, March 11, Archbishop Wood defeated Twin Valley 79-45. If play resumes, the Lady Vikings would move on to play a highly anticipated quarterfinal match-up vs. Catholic League foe, Archbishop Carroll. (PSD Video by Donna Eckert)

"Of course there's talent which will take us far enough, but I think that the real thing that makes us so successful and capable of winning a state title is our focus on doing it for each other. Losing would hurt, but I know for me having to know that I let Lindsay, my fellow senior, down would kill me. It's just the mindset that we go into everything with.”

Cardinal O’Hara (12-1; 21-6) – Double-digit wins over Souderton (50-30) and Spring-Ford (54-43) led the Lions to formidable Pennsbury (1-2; 26-5).

Maggie Doogan, sophomore– “Because of this pandemic, I don’t know if we will get the chance to go to Hershey, but our will power and urgency is greater than any other team I’ve seen this year. When we set a goal for ourselves, it is hard to stop us from reaching it, and that’s what is so special about this team. I think our competition in our regular season is what prepared us for the state tournament, and it would be a shame if we couldn’t get to finish out the tournament. But the hard work we put in and the endless hours we spend together is essential to win. Our chemistry on and off the court is so great that we know what we have to do to win, and the trust we have in each other is why I think we can win states.”

Sydni Scott, sophomore – “I think that the way we practiced and how we played in the previous games showed me that we were gonna win the state title. We never gave up when it was hard and we had each other’s back, so for me, that gave me a lot of confidence that we were gonna win.”

Flashback Highlights! On Tuesday, March 10, sophomore Nicole Blanch came off the bench to drill a trio of three-pointers to lead the Lions to a 54-43 win over Spring-Ford. (PSD Video by Kathy Leister).

Amaris Baker, senior– “I am confident that my team has what it takes to win the state title because of our ambition. We are an ambitious team that when we want something, we are locked in and work hard to achieve our goal. We are unstoppable when we are ambitious.”

Archbishop Carroll (12-3; 17-10) – The Patriots edged Mount St. Joseph (47-41) and overwhelmed West Scranton (55-34). A much-anticipated battle with rival Archbishop Wood (12-1; 21-7) whets the appetite of PCL hoop zealots.  

Erin Sweeney, senior– “We always have each other’s backs and pick each other up and keep each other’s confidence up. We have really stayed together even through some tough losses, and we always compete and give our best effort every game. We try our best to just play our game like we know how, no matter who the opponent is.”

Karli Dougherty, junior– “Our team has improved so much in the second half of our season. With having great captains like Hope Syronand Erin Sweeney, the energy is never down. The girls have a strong connection with one another, and that same connection grows even stronger when five of us step out on that court. We are blessed to have such amazing coaches who have trained us well to be prepared for whatever a team may throw at us.”

Grace O’Neill, sophomore – “As the season has progressed, I think that our team has been working well together. We were able to play as one in the first two games of the states, which I think would continue for the remainder of the tournament.”


Archbishop Carroll sophomore Grace O'Neill scored 17 points against West Scranton on March 10, to propel the Lady Patriots to a potential quarterfinal appearance vs. Archbishop Wood - PSD Photo by Mike Nance

Lansdale Catholic (12-1; 24-3) – The Crusaders stopped both Bermudian Springs (63-48) and Dallas (61-53) and would face PCL Red Division foe Bonner-Prendergast (12-3; 10-16).

Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, junior –“The fact that my team never gives up, never quits, and steps up to the plate when it is most important gives me significant confidence in our ability to win the state title.”

Lauren Edwards, sophomore – “Obviously, I could sit here and say it’s because of how much of a team we are, and we really are like family, but I believe it’s more than that. We have what it takes because of our perseverance and adaptability. We have dealt with so much adversity this year, and we’re still somehow able to overcome it. We are also always able to keep our heads in the game even in games when we are down by almost 20, and come together to win it in the end. We never give up. When we want something, as a team, we get it done. That state title was what we had our minds set to, and we intended to walk away with it. I even remember during practices when our coach would make us run a lot, we would sometimes lose the right headspace and attitude. He would tell us to look at the banners in the gym and picture our state title hanging up. We were playing for something more, not just for ourselves, but our team, coaches, and the entire LC community.”

Mia Rosenberger, senior – “Our team has great talent and effort. We all strive to do our best on the court for the rest of our teammates. But talent isn’t everything. I am very confident to say that our team has so much love for the game and each other and that’s what pushes all of us. We are a very connected team and that truly does help on the court. When we play together and encourage each other, that is when we are at our best.”


Lansdale Catholic junior No. 3 Timaya Lewis-Eutsey notched 30 points in the Crusader's tight 61-53 victory vs. Dallas in the PIAA 4A second round setting up a potential quarterfinal game vs. PCL opponent Bonner-Prendergast- PSD Photo by Kathy Leister.

Bonner-Prendergast (12-3; 10-16) – The Pandas chose the best time to play their best basketball. They beat Jim Thorpe (52-44) and then over-timed Eastern York (52-46). Lansdale Catholic (12-1; 24-3), which earlier upended B-P in a non-league game, beckons.

Alexis Gleason, senior– “Our team is tough. Many teams look at our overall record, which wasn’t very good, and think they will walk all over us. That simply isn’t the case. We never give up. We play in the best league in the state . . . the PCL.

Bridie McCann, sophomore– “I really think it’s the thought of being the underdogs. This only boosted our confidence more. Everyone knows about your record, and the stats on the team, but they don’t know the background that is held throughout the team. We know that our record wasn’t the best out there, but never did we show that. We played each game like it was our last. We knew our competition that we were going up against wasn’t going to be easy at all, but we sure were confident that we would be able to stick with each of the teams. Going into the state tournament, playing new teams is always a good time. As our coaches tell us, states is a ‘new season.’ After our first state game, we were more than confident that we had a chance of taking home a state title, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Flashback Highlights! On Wednesday, March 11, Bonner-Prendergast pulled off an overtime thriller vs. Eastern York to advance to the quarterfinals against PCL opponent Lansdale Catholic. (PSD Video by Angelise Stuhl).

Alexis Eagan, junior– “The thing about our team that makes us confident that we could win the state title is our ‘never give up’ attitude. We all have worked very hard this entire year from our number one player to our 12th player. Each person on our team has the same drive to want to win. In each game we have played this year, we never gave up and it shows, like in our overtime win against Eastern York in the last state game. We know that if we were to continue the state tournament, we would continue with this ‘never give up’ attitude that each person on our team has. Even though we don’t always get everyone in every game, our bench is always loud and it keeps up the intensity to win. We all want the same thing for the team, and that is to win and keep moving forward.”
 

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