By: John Knebels
Photos: by Geanine Jamison
GLENSIDE – If the Philadelphia Catholic League ever leaves the tape of one game in a time capsule hoping future generations could understand the overall ideal mission of high school athletics, Saturday afternoon’s last-ever girls’ basketball game for both John W. Hallahan and Bishop McDevitt would speak volumes.
“Everyone,” said Hallahan junior Mya Sulimay, “had the sportsmanship tonight that we all needed.”
She got that right.
With emotions running high among the family representatives present from both institutions, visiting Hallahan captured a dramatic 52-49 victory when Sulimay took an under-the-basket inbounds pass from sophomore Brynne Tomaszewski and swished a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Thus ended a back-and-forth battle between two programs that continue to vocalize their hurt, disappointment, anger, and confusion about the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s sudden decision in November to close their respective schools this coming June.
For 32 minutes, however, the only thing that mattered was a collective 17 players battling each other from beginning to end. A clash that featured 12 lead changes and four deadlocks – the last courtesy of junior Emma Obfenda’s clutch two free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining in regulation – nearly necessitated overtime, but Sulimay’s first-ever game clincher prevented such sentimentality.
Hallahan junior Mya Sulimay swishes 3 point buzzer beater. (video by John Knebels for PSD)
Hallahan junior Mya Sulimay talks about her game-winning shot.(video by John Knebels)
“That was crazy,” said Sulimay. “I just saw her throw it and I was like, ‘I gotta make it.’ I didn’t think it was going in, but it went in. Thank God.
“I couldn’t believe it. Then everyone started running over. It’s just . . . especially since it’s our last game and it’ll be my last game ever playing for Hallahan . . . it was just a great way to end it.”
As Hallahan players finished a celebratory embrace, the first person to congratulate Sulimay was Bishop McDevitt coach Dan Greenberg, who double-downed on his classy gesture by supplying Sulimay with the game ball – a keepsake that will always maintain major historic relevance.
Sulimay, whose final stat line included 11 points, 12 rebounds, six steals, and three three-pointers, was beyond impressed.
“I was shocked,” said Sulimay, who next year plans to attend Neumann-Goretti. “It showed such great sportsmanship. It just felt unreal. Even the girls on McDevitt came up and congratulated me.”
McDevitt head coach Dan Greenberg congratulates Sulimay and presents her with game winning ball. (video by Geanine Jamison for PSD)
Also fueled by senior Ashiah Milburn’s 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks, senior Logan Tomaszewski’s 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, and sophomore Faith Scally’s eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, Hallahan celebrated their legacy with three wins in their last four attempts to finish with a 4-6 Blue Division record.
McDevitt, which led through most of the first three quarters, fell behind 44-35 halfway through the fourth quarter before staging a spirited comeback behind senior Kate McNally (11 points, nine rebounds), junior Messiah White (career-high 20 rebounds), junior Kelly Roache (12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two fourth-quarter treys), senior Sianii Posey (six points, two rebounds, steal), and the aforementioned Obfenda (13 points; 5 of 6 from the foul line).
Though 0-9, McDevitt improved significantly during a corona-marred campaign, coming oh-so-close at Little Flower (29-25) and at Hallahan (52-45) before playing what Greenberg cited as their best performance of the year.
Hallahan sophomore Faith Scally reflects on her high school career. (video by John Knebels)
“It just shows that we never stop fighting,” said McNally. “We’re always fighting to be better. We fought for the school to stay open; we were fighting for this game. We fought for every last point, every last possession, every last foul. We just gave it our all. It will definitely be the favorite game that we always remember.
“I’m just sad for my teammates, that I can’t go back and cheer them on. We weren’t the best team this year, but we were very close during the whole season. We never turned against each other. I think it’s still a shock.”
McDevitt senior Kate McNally talks about her teammates and the emotion of this game. (video John Knebels)
McDevitt senior Morgan Harris talks about how this game was the hardest she ever played. (video by John Knebels)
When the game was over, players gathered their belongings and unceremoniously left the gym to meet family and/or friends for rides home after a longer-than-usual day. About 90 minutes earlier, numerous McDevitt alums had gathered outside to await the McDevitt players, who marched from the cafeteria to the parking lot and were greeted with a long, boisterous applause. The team then entered the gym to celebrate Senior Day, warm up, and compete against players who, more than anyone, understood the magnitude of what was to occur.
The Lady Lancers and Mickey Mice then put on a show that will be recalled fondly by all of those privileged to have watched in person.
“It’s a little hard . . . it’s definitely a tough loss,” said McDevitt senior Morgan Harris. “This is like the toughest game we ever played, the hardest we ever played. We all stayed together instead of just giving up.
“We all have a bond as a family. It’s wonderful progress that we came back from nine points and just lost by just a couple.”
The game’s public address announcer, John McBride, is no stranger to the challenges associated with a school’s closure.
A former teacher at Feltonville’s St. Ambrose parochial school (closed in 2006; the parish remains and is reportedly thriving) and a 1980 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School (closed in 2010), McBride served as McDevitt’s junior varsity girls’ coach from 1987 to 1990; 1993-96.
As he announced the final two minutes, McBride said he became internally emotional.
Game announcer John McBride talks about the legacy of this final game. (video by John Knebels)
“If you look at the banners in the gym, the 1,000-point banners, you see the names of five girls that accomplished an unimaginable goal,” said McBride, the McDevitt boys’ public address announcer for the past three years and the girls’ announcer for special occasions. “When you think back to all the players that were here and all the success that they have had, it becomes even more overwhelming.
“The girls on the court today really carried that torch high. They shined a light that has been beaming here at Bishop McDevitt for (63) years. They have nothing to hang their heads about. It was a very tough loss when you lose on a buzzer-beater, but it was an incredible effort, and both programs today can hold their head up high for being represented well – the history and the legacy of both schools.”
McBride was asked what the players on McDevitt and Hallahan might experience in both the near and far future.
“It’s like losing a magnet on your compass,” said McBride. “You don’t have a school to go back to. You can drive by the building. You can have the memories, which will never fade away. You can bask in the accomplishments and the building blocks that will help you in the future. But you never get to go back to visit a favorite teacher, to see that classroom that helped you excel in math and led you to your career.
“You don’t get to smell the bad fishcakes on Friday or the over-boiled hotdogs during a football or soccer game. You don’t get any of that anymore. You move on, but it’s something you miss.”
Highlights of historical last game between Archbishop McDevitt and John W. Hallahan (PSD video by John Knebels and Geanine Jamison)
From the countenance of both teams as they extended a heartfelt final wave to each other from a socially acceptable distance, students from John W. Hallahan and Bishop McDevitt miss it already.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
