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GIRLS BASKETBALL: West Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, and Archbishop Wood Reach the Final Step

By John Knebels Photos: James Williamson, Mike Nance, Donna Eckert, 03/25/21, 2:00PM EDT

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By: John Knebels

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

PCL GIRLS PIAA SEMIFINAL ROUND-UP

For the Philadelphia Catholic League, history beckons.

This week in Hershey, three PCL girls’ teams have a chance to bring home a PIAA state title. On three occasions (2012, 2016, 2017), two squads were successful.  

If West Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, and Archbishop Wood can somehow dig deep and siphon one more victory from their vast resources, a record three PCL girls’ teams would ultimately pose for pictures with a human-sized chocolate bar at center court in Hershey Arena.

Each squad captured impressive semifinal victories.

Lady Burrs Score Early and Often in Lopsided Win

PHILADELPHIA – West Catholic’s 59-33 Class 3A win over District 11 champ Notre Dame-Green Pond was never in doubt. The Lady Burrs sped to a 22-4 lead after one quarter and entered halftime on top by a commanding 40-10. They will take on District 7 champ Mohawk 5 PM Thursday.

Virginia Tech-bound senior Destiney McPhaul scored 19 points in the first quarter alone – a career-best for a single quarter – and finished with 26. Senior Daziy Wilson added 10 for West Catholic, whose only other state final was a loss in 2018, though the Lady Burrs were red hot heading into last year’s quarterfinals before basketball was shut down because of the coronavirus.

“We’re so grateful to make it to the final stage of the tournament and want to make our family, friends, and school community proud by bringing home our program’s first state title,” said West coach Beulah Osueke, who generously subbed early in the second half. “We are focused, hungry, and plan to put forth nothing but our best in the championship.”

West Catholic vs. Notre Dame GP - PIAA 3A Semifinal Highlights by James Williamson

According to senior Patience Sanders, who scored four points in both the second and third quarters, the Lady Burrs have all “bought in” to the true concept of teamwork.

“Everyone on our team has a role and contributes to our overall success, which is why we highlight the importance of maintaining trust, leadership, and confidence among each other,” said Sanders. “When we are faced with trials, we know how to persevere and dominate as a unit.”  

Senior Ti’Esha Walker appreciates how her team overcame constant obstacles.

“Last year, the beginning of Covid was a major test for all of us since it ended our state run, the school closed, and there weren’t any more sports,” said Walker, one of West’s most unselfish contributors. “Being unable to do something we love for a couple of months was the worst experience of our lives. 

“We’ve been able to overcome and piece back together the dream run that we never completed. We want to win states not just for our coaches and school, but also for ourselves, because it is so much more than basketball, as our coach reminds us every day that we are a family sharing one ultimate goal.”

Lady Lions Ruin Opposition’s Perfect Season

SPRINGFIELD – Cardinal O’Hara ruined neighborhood rival Springfield’s undefeated season with a 40-28 Class 5A triumph. The Lady Lions outscored the Cougars (21-1) by 20-11 in the second half, thus putting themselves in position to capture the school’s first-ever state crown after losses in 2009 and 2016.

The Lady Lions face District 7 champ Chartiers Valley 5 PM Saturday.  

“I am extremely excited; my whole team is,” said junior Sydni Scott, who finished with 11 points. “This has been our goal since the beginning of the season, and it means a lot to be here after the way our season ended last year.

“It definitely was a great win beating an undefeated team, but I wouldn’t say it was a ‘neighborhood rival.’ It was more like playing against kids you grew up with, so it was a little odd.”

Senior Amaris Baker can’t think of a better way to finish her outstanding high school career before moving on to play at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University.

“Hershey bound!” said Baker. “I’m excited for the team and what we are going to bring to the game Saturday. This was another goal that we had on the list, and that was to get to Hershey and to do what it takes to win. We have had this goal every single year, and the fact that we get to play in the championship is huge. 

“We work really hard in practice and carry that energy into the game. Us winning tonight gave us that boost and excitement that we needed to feel again. Just one more.”

Junior Maggie Doogan scored five of her seven points in O’Hara’s 14-7 fourth quarter. She also added eight rebounds and four blocks.

No player in the Catholic League – and maybe even the state – has been more consistent than Doogan. A Division I career undoubtedly awaits the likable forward. For now, though, there is but one objective in Doogan’s mind.

“Our team gutted out and battled a tough one tonight,” said Doogan. “I thought our defense was stellar in the second half. Our shots weren’t falling, so we knew our defense was going to win us this game. We are all super happy with the win and are so ready to conquer Hershey this weekend.”

O’Hara senior Siobhan Boylan once again supplied tenaciousness on both ends of the floor. The Marist College signee was the only player to score in every quarter and finished with a team-best 12 points.

Guarding Springfield’s top scorers, Boylan arguably played her best defense of the season; taking into consideration the magnitude of the game, maybe her career.

“She had deflections, rebounds . . . a little of everything,” said Coach Doogan. “She was determined. She made a three early in the game that got everyone relaxed. She was so into it, telling me what plays would work.

“She doesn’t get tired, so she is hard to take off the court. She isn’t our first scoring option but is always ready to shoot. She really was willing to do anything tonight to get us to Hershey.”

Lady Vikings Back in Familiar Territory

WARMINSTER – Archbishop Wood advanced to its ninth state final, defeating scrappy District 2 champ Scranton Prep, 56-39, in a Class 4A matchup. The Lady Vikings, 5-3 in the prestigious event, will be searching for their first title since 2017 when they face undefeated Division 10 toughie Villa Maria Academy of Erie (20-0) Saturday at noon. 

Seven different players scored for Wood, which poured in nine three pointers. Four of those were delivered by senior Dana Kiefer, who tallied 14 points and led the Lady Vikings in scoring for the first time in her career. 

“I was feeling it,” said Kiefer, who added three rebounds, an assist, and a block. “I get confidence from my teammates to be part of the offense. I’ve worked on being as versatile as I can be. It’s definitely a really great way for our last game at home to end this way.”

Kiefer nailed the first points of the game with a three. She hit another trey in the second, helping the Lady Vikings forge a 26-16 lead. In the third, Kiefer scored eight of Wood’s 15 points, including a pair of threes.  

Wood coach Mike McDonald couldn’t have been more pleased. 

“She was awesome,” said McDonald. “She hit one early and then another one later in the first half and that helped get us going. 

“Defensively, she was huge for us, keeping her hands high and contesting shots. She was great. Couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Wood vs. Scranton Prep - PIAA 4A Highlights by John Knebels & Donna Eckert:

Junior Ryanne Allen (12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, steal) and senior Kaitlyn Orihel (11 points, three rebounds, three assists) added yet more substance to their first-team All-Catholic resumes. Junior Bri Bowen was a rebounding force, corralling 13 while adding six points.

With five points, two assists, a rebound, and excellent defense, sophomore Delaney Finnegan competed more like a veteran. Junior Shannon Morgan electrified the crowd by finishing an 11-0 run at the start of the third quarter with a catch-and-fire three that extended Wood’s lead to a close-to-insurmountable 37-16.

Scranton’s first points of the second half came with 2:59 remaining in the third quarter. When McDonald emptied the bench late in the fourth, Scranton kept its starters in and, aided by a full-court press, scored the final 10 points of the game.

Our kids are buying into the defensive end and rebounding the basketball,” said McDonald. “Winning that Catholic League championship was an energy boost. I think the girls thought, ‘That felt really good. We can do this. We can defend. We are going to get after it.’”

Among those who did a little bit of everything was senior Noelle Baxter.

Somehow not recognized as at least a second-team All-Catholic despite consistent competence, the 5-foot, 8-inch guard contributed harassing defense, five points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a partridge in a pair tree. 

Statistics, however, sometimes do not accurately portray how strongly a team plays defense. 

“We set the tone in practice,” said Baxter. “We get after it . . . and we guard against each other. We really work hard. Tonight was a product of it.”

 

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