By: John Knebels
By: John Knebels
Photos: Zamani Feelings & Geanine Jamison
PHILADELPHIA - If there was one season in Inter-Academic League girls’ basketball when championship contenders appeared plentiful, this was it. But the grand lady of hoops won’t be crowning anyone this winter.
Add yet more dilapidation courtesy of the Coronavirus Express.
Despite no one fighting for supremacy and a tilted schedule that will not include each team playing each other twice, numerous close battles beckon among the savvy seven.
Whenever asked to list the top programs in the area, Germantown Academy is traditionally mentioned among the top 10, often higher. The Patriots’ longtime reputation of annual excellence has been constructed on the foundation of six straight Inter-Ac titles, a mind-boggling 70-2 league record, and seven consecutive seasons of 20 overall wins or more.
Coming of a 25-5 campaign and a trip to the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) semifinals, the Patriots graduated five seniors who are currently playing college basketball and two others who are playing collegiately in a different sport.
Germantown Academy on the court last season vs. Penn Charter (photo Zamani Feelings)
“Our senior captains have been waiting in the wings to take the pilot seat of core leadership,” said GA coach Sherri Retif, referring to 6-foot guard Jessica Moore and Ursinus College commit swing Charlotte DeLello, who was nicknamed “Scrappy” by her teammates three years ago. “Jessica can stroke the three, and Charlotte epitomizes hustle and grit.”
Sophomore Kendall Bennett, who averaged a double-double last year on junior varsity, and Colorado transfer Josie Munson, a 5-foot, 11-inch guard, add experience. Juniors Lilly Funk, Alex Goodridge and Bri O'Hara, all multi-sport athletes, will supply depth.
Retif has been impressed by varsity freshmen Sam Wade, Jenna Aponik, Jessica Aponik, Isabella Casey and Basha Harrington.
“A shortened season has elicited a sense of urgency,” said Retif. “There is absolutely no shortage of motivation with this team. They are happy to be together and ready to compete. It is obvious that they are enjoying the opportunity to build their own legacy.”
Penn Charter has amassed a sparking 48-11 record over the past two seasons, including last year’s excellent 25-5 performance that culminated in a Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) championship loss.
The Quakers remain quite formidable behind returning all-league sophomores Kelsey Bess and Aleah Snead, both of whom have received Division I interest.
Key rotation players include sophomore Bella Toomey, who has also received Division I recruiting interest, along with senior Kaitlyn Hnatkowsky and junior Maddie Shoup – a Colorado University lacrosse commit. Providing depth will be sophomore Gracie Shoup and a quintet of seniors – Kate Haughey, Ava Coyle, Jamie Kubach, West Chester University soccer commit Kate Haughey, and Louisville University soccer commit Ava Coyle.
Penn Charter Sophomore Aleah Snead (photo- Zamani Feelings)
“With a shortened season I do not see any advantages, but some disadvantages are our ability to play other competition in the area,” said Penn Charter coach Joe Maguire. “We were scheduled to play several teams ranked in the ESPNW High School Top 25, including Blair Academy, Long Island Lutheran, and Archbishop Wood. We were also scheduled to appear in many Showcase Events in DC, New York, and the Philadelphia area.”
Still, Maguire does not expect any less dedication from his players.
“We are appreciative of the opportunity that we have to compete and are going to take full advantage of the time we have in the gym together,” said Maguire. “We are looking to build on the success we have had the past two years.”
Coming off a loss in the PAISAA semifinals, Notre Dame Academy lost one starter from a strong 19-8 squad (8-4 in the Inter-Ac) – the Irish’s best finish since 2015-16 – and has the look of a juggernaut.
Third-year head coach Lauren Power (formerly Thomer) raved about her four returning mainstays.
On 5-10 junior guard Maeve McErlane, a first-team all-league selection after averaging 14 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and two steals per game: “Incredible talent . . . multiple Division I offers already . . . keeps getting better because she is a work horse.”
On 5-3 senior guard Izzy Casale, who led the Irish in steals and deflections last season: “Spark plug . . . X-factor . . . defensive gnat . . . makes plays.”
On 5-5 junior guard Julia Dever: “Floor general . . . smart point guard.”
On 5-11 sophomore Katie Halligan, who posted 7.4 points and 7.7 boards per contest: “Had a great freshmen year . . . developed over the summer and will be a key player for us.”
Academy of Notre Dame on the court last season vs. Penn Charter (photo- Zamani Feelings)
“Our team has handled the adversity thrown at them with incredible resolve and spirit,” said Power. “You can learn a lot about people when they go through adversity, and I am so proud of how this team has handled the ups and downs of this year. I can't wait to watch them flourish and do what they love to do come game time.”
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy hopes to reap benefits from having a young team last year. The Blue Devils also are excited about several freshmen. Key contributors include sophomore Ava Chavez (averaged eight points and three rebounds), sophomore Tatyana Hall (10 points), junior Layla Sawyer (six points, 10 rebounds, three blocks), and sophomore Maya McDermott (six points, four rebounds, three steals).
“The returning players will provide leadership to the freshman class,” said coach Florence Hagains.
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on the court last season vs. Germantown Academy (photo- Geanine Jamison)
An underclassmen-dominated roster encompasses Agnes Irwin School. Junior guard Belle Fusco, senior center/forward and Oregon University lacrosse commit Paige Crowther, junior forward Caroline Vauclain, sophomore guard Blake Stefan, and senior Kelly Cooper establish the nucleus, with freshman guards Janna Parker and Jackie Graham the proverbial “players to watch.”
“The new shortened schedule is tough, but honestly I am happy and grateful that the girls even get to have a season at all,” said coach Andrea Carter. “We play in a very strong league, but I am happy we are able to play Springside Chestnut Hill twice. Both times we played, they were very good games. The first game we went into double overtime. I am looking forward to those games.”
Carter stressed that the Owls “must win the small battles to have a chance – boxing out, rebounding, sprinting back on defense. If we can do those things, as well as take care of the basketball, we can be fine.”
Agnes Irwin senior Paige Crowther in game vs. Penn Charter (photo-Zamani Feelings)
At Episcopal Academy, coach Chuck Simmonds returns four starters in juniors Riley Cassidy, Bella Piselli and Amanda Purcell, and sophomore Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf, last year’s leading scorer.
“This has been a surreal experience and has added different opportunities to use Zoom and workout sessions in ways that I never did before to prep for a season,” said Simmonds. “I do enjoy getting the time in the gym to be able to see the team progress in a practice setting without jumping so quickly into game action against other schools. I think the girls have shown great motivation and energy, partly because they are being allowed to compete again.
“This whole situation has taught us to take nothing for granted. I don't think that not having a post-season opportunity will change that level of energy, especially in a short sprint of a season. Our senior captains Allie Bush, Allie Sillo, and Caroline McCreary have done a great job at creating an open and welcoming atmosphere that has allowed the players to push each other each day.”
Episcopal Academy receiving instructions by Coach Simmonds in last season's game vs Baldwin. (photo-Ed Morrone).
Baldwin School returns significant experience. Senior Anajah Brown is a four-year starter, first-team all-league, and a Sienna College commit. Junior Kaya Weiser is a three-year starter and the Bears’ second leading scorer. Senior Taylor Levinson is a four-year starter and the team’s third leading scorer. Rani Bleznak is a four-year starter. Junior Gabi Pritzker started as a freshman but missed last season with a knee injury. Freshman Allie Weiser is slated as the first substitute after playing as an eighth grader. Sophomores Grace Brunetto and Megan Adelman will rotate like they did last year.
Baldwin School senior Anajah Brown (photo-Baldwin Athletics)
“With a shortened season, we have to be ready to go, especially playing a league-only schedule and with the Inter-Ac being one of the best leagues in the state,” said coach John Bernhardt. “Obviously, we are just super excited to have a season in general and send the seniors off in a positive way.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)