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GIRLS BASKETBALL: Decisive Victory Places Penn Charter Atop Standings (Round-Up Through Jan. 19)

By John Knebels Photos: Lou Rabito, James Williamson, Colleen Claggett..., 01/21/22, 12:15AM EST

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Videos/Photos: James Williamson, Colleen Claggett, Kathy Leister, Lou Rabito & Lennie Malmgren

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – The much-anticipated showdown between the Inter-Academic League’s top two heavyweights offered less drama than anticipated.

The winner by knockout? Penn Charter.

With juniors Aleah Snead and Bella Toomey both scoring 16 points and senior Maddie Shoup adding 14, the Quakers seized an eight-point lead in the first quarter and didn’t let up, defeating visiting Notre Dame Academy, 59-45.

Now on a six-game winning streak, Penn Charter (11-2 overall) stands alone atop the standings with a 5-0 record, one game better than the Fighting Irish’s 4-1. The two rivals will meet again on Feb. 1 at Notre Dame.

 “Both teams looked like the best of the league last year,” said Penn Charter coach Joe Maguire. “This year, we’re both off to great starts, so this was a really important game.

“We talk about us being on a ladder and trying to win the league. We can’t jump past any steps. This was an important step; it was like a playoff game. But there is a lot of basketball still to be played.”

Penn Charter vs. Notre Dame - PSD Game Highlights by James Williamson:

Toomey dominated the glass with 12 boards.

“There was a lot of buildup leading up to this game,” said Toomey. “We knew how important of a win this would be for us, so I think that was the driving force behind the win. We worked extremely hard in practice gearing up for this game, knowing it would be a dog fight.

“Obviously this was a great win for us, but the job is nowhere near over. Our goal is to win the Inter-Ac, and this game was another step in reaching that goal.”

WPC junior Bella Toomey said the Irish were "relentless" and it was a real battle to the finish- PSD Video by James Williamson

WPC junior Aleah Snead knew the Quakers had to play hard to come away with the win - PSD video by James Williamson

Notre Dame coach Lauren Power lauded Penn Charter while issuing a challenge to her disappointed Fighting Irish.

“There’s always lessons in the losses, and so how we respond will be the true test of who we are as a unit,” said Power. “Julia Dever was sensational in the second half, but we needed a lot more than her grittiness to beat a very good Penn Charter team today.”

Notre Dame senior Julia Dever notes mental toughness and halftime adjustments - PSD Video by James Williamson

WPC senior Maddie Shoup said this win was "one small step" in their season - PSD Video by James Williamson

Dever, a senior who was also singled out by opposing coach Maguire for “making big baskets,” finished with 12 points. Senior teammate Maeve McErlane, hounded by Penn Charter junior Gracie Shoup (5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), scored a team-high 15.

Other standout Quakers included freshman Kaylinn Bethea (6  points, 5 assists), senior Kayla Bradby (strong defense), and senior Amani Rivers (intangibles).

“We were all disappointed when the first game was postponed,” said Maguire, referring to a Jan. 7 meeting that was cancelled because of inclement weather. “The players have been focused and were ready for this game. They did a great job.”

In other Inter-Academic League Play . . .

Behind junior Kendall Bennett’s 18-point, 11-rebound effort, and sophomore Isabella Casey’s 21 points, Germantown Academy evened its league record to 2-2 with a 67-51 victory over visiting Episcopal Academy.

The Patriots, who canned 15 of 16 free throws (Casey hit 8 of 9), host Penn Charter Friday afternoon. If GA hopes to be a part of an Inter-Ac crown, it faces a must-win situation.

Bennett has become a double-double machine. Last week, she scored 16 and grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds against Imhotep, then corralled 22 points and 18 boards versus Villa Maria Academy. 

“Our games over the weekend against Villa Maria Academy and Lincoln Prep in the Rose Classic (in New York) were high octane and very physical,” said Germantown Academy coach Sherri Retif. “Such competition prepares our young team for league play.

“We have gone to the line 50 times in the last three games. I’m proud of our growth in attacking downhill and initiating contact on the drive.”

Episcopal Academy is also 2-2.

Despite going two weeks without playing, the Churchmen dispatched Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy behind sophomore Taylor Hammond’s 19 points, Agnes Irwin thanks to senior Riley Cassidy’s 13 points, and Springfield (Delaware County) fueled by 12 points apiece from senior Amanda Purcell and junior Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf.
 
“We had a layoff and a lot of players in and out of practice and games,” said EA coach Chuck Simmonds. “We’re hoping to move forward full strength with some tough contests in the weeks ahead.”

Agnes Irwin (0-4) aims to capture its first league win when it visits Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy (1-4) Friday afternoon. The Owls dropped a 26-15 decision to the Blue Devils way back on Dec, 14.

Coach Shanette Lee lauded the Owls for their attitude and perseverance. 

“I am so proud of my team because they work as hard as they can every game,” said Lee. “They are learning the new system and are improving every day. It’s been a privilege to coach them.”

AIS senior Jackie Heinerichs addresses their game vs. PC & notes a unique aspect about her squad:

Agnes Irwin vs. William Penn Charter - PSD Game Highlights by Colleen Claggett:

Baldwin School (2-3) received 19 points from senior Kaya Weiser and 12 from freshman Sami Neff in a 37-27 triumph at Springside-Chestnut Hill.

“It was a well-fought battle by the entire group,” said Baldwin coach Devin Walker. “I loved the composure we showed through the adversity of the entire game. We showed true toughness and focus. Overall, a very memorable game.”

Springside-Chestnut Hill put six players in the scoring column in defeat. Junior Ava Chavez and freshman Mikiaya Durham each scored seven points. Junior Julia Thompson contributed five points and three steals. Senior Layla Sawyer added four points and four blocks.

“We’re just trying to come together as a team,” said SCH coach Florence Hagains.

Inter-Academic League Standings:

(Through Jan. 19)

5-0 Penn Charter

4-1 Notre Dame Academy

2-2 Germantown Academy

2-2 Episcopal Academy

2-3 Baldwin School

1-4 Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy

0-4 Agnes Irwin School

    

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