Photos/Videos: Patty Morgan, Lou Rabito & John Wilson
By: John Knebels
INTER-AC ROUND-UP – The last time three teams tied for the Inter-Academic League girls’ championship occurred back in 1999 when Germantown Academy, Notre Dame, and since-departed Shipley School each finished with one league loss.
There’s a decent chance it could happen again in 2022.
On Jan. 21, Germantown Academy defeated visiting Penn Charter, 60-54, and entrenched itself in title talk. In handing Charter its first league loss, the defending champion Patriots (4-2 in the Inter-Ac) now join both Penn Charter (7-1) and Notre Dame Academy (6-1) as championship contenders with the final third of the season still to play.
“That game was a huge game for us because we are a new team and younger team, and for us not playing together for that long, we needed to put all of the pieces together and show how far we have come,” said junior captain Kendall Bennett. “We wanted to come out with intensity, which is exactly what we did from the tip.
“We needed to keep our energy up and keep making plays in order to stay in the game. I personally wanted that game really bad because the last time I won against Penn Charter was freshman year.”
Though the Quakers took advantage of Bennett’s game-long foul troubles to keep the double-double machine to an uncharacteristic four points (though she did block three shots), they were unable to stop Gabby Bowes’ best-ever varsity performance.
Germantown Academy junior captain Kendall Bennett drives to the basket in game vs. SCH - PSD Photo by Patty Morgan
The burgeoning freshman nailed five three-pointers and finished with a career-high 26 points. Sophomore Izzy Casey added 10 points and mirrored freshman teammate CeeJay Thomas with seven rebounds. Sophomore Jess Aponik (nine points, four assists) and freshman Jess Kolecki (six assists) added key contributions.
“We had a variety of players make big shots,” said Germantown Academy coach Sherri Retif. “We played most of the third quarter with three freshmen on the court. CeeJay Thomas came in and was a burst of energy. Gabby Bowes was on fire.
“Our players have bonded as one unit the past few months. It’s exciting to see (the young players) buy in. It’s good to see them take pride in wearing a GA uniform. We still have a lot of growth on the horizon.
“Kendall is giving us offensive and rebounding consistency. She has posted nine double-doubles in 15 games. Izzy Casey and Jess Aponik are providing ball control and floor leadership. And it’s always exciting when a freshman like Gabby Bowes can drop five threes in a big game against Penn Charter.”
Notre Dame’s Star Keeps Right on Starring:
Heading into a key contest on Jan. 25 against visiting Episcopal Academy, Notre Dame Academy senior Maeve McErlane needed 24 points to reach 1,000 for her career. Doing it in one game would be a chore against a strong opponent like the Churchwomen.
If the University of DePaul-bound standout wanted to reach quadruple digits in her home gym, she had to find a way to get the job done against EA because Notre Dame’s next scheduled game was a visit to the Agnes Irwin.
Mission accomplished.
On a fast break midway through the third quarter, McErlane took a perfect feed from junior Annie Greek and laid the ball off the glass.
Time stopped, and a celebration began. Maeve McErlane had joined an exclusive club.
“Scoring 1,000 points was one of my goals as a high school basketball player other than winning and being a great teammate as well as growing as a player,” said McErlane, who finished with 26 points. “It was a great achievement.
“Being able to do this at home was very special. The crowd energy was amazing the entire the game, and when I scored my 1,000th, it was such a great moment. It was also nice to score it in a league game that was very important.”
Notre Dame coach Lauren Power extolled her star player.
“Maeve was sensational,” said Power. “She has worked tirelessly to earn every point. And like she has done so many times in her career, she took over the game and put her teammates on her back. It was one of the most memorable days in the past four years.”
The all-state guard recognized the help she has had along the way.
“I’m grateful,” said McErlane. “I’ve had great coaches and teammates who have put me in the position to accomplish 1,000 points.”
Maeve McErlane scored her 1,000th career point in league game vs. Episcopal Academy - Video courtesy of Linda Genther:
Maeve McErlane - 1,000 point Gallery - Courtesy of Liz O'Razio, Academy of Notre Dame:
Tomorrow (Feb. 1) at 4 PM, the Irish hosts Penn Charter. A victory would secure first place with Germantown Academy coming for a visit three days later. Win both, and Notre Dame is virtually assured of its first-ever outright basketball crown.
“It’s a huge game, a huge week,” said Power. “Penn Charter had our number the first time around (59-45 loss on Jan. 19). They were the more physical and tougher team.
“That was hard to swallow. It was a painful lesson, but we’ve grown from that loss and all of the challenges we’ve faced along the way. We’re ready.”
Penn Charter Survives Sluggish Start:
On Jan. 25, led by 17 points apiece by juniors Aleah Snead and Bella Toomey, and 13 more by freshman Kaylinn Bethea, Penn Charter placed eight different players in the scoring column in a 65-37 triumph over Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy.
Feeling great, the Quakers visited Episcopal Academy three days later. For the initial six minutes, though, they suddenly forgot how to play basketball.
With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Quakers were inexplicably trailing by 12-1 and competing as though hampered by a thick fog.
A thoroughly bewildered and unhappy coach Joe Maguire called timeout.
Cover your ears . . .
“I let them have it,” said Maguire. “We did not have a good practice Thursday and it carried into the game.”
The suddenly awakened Quakers outscored the Churchmen 46-20 the rest of the way for a 47-32 victory.
WPC vs. EA - PSD Gallery by Lou Rabito
Bethea (15 points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists), Toomey (12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks), Snead (12 points, seven rebounds), and senior Maddie Shoup (six points, five assists, three steals) wove together a dominant final three stanzas.
Maguire’s unfettered message stressed a return to fundamentals.
“We try to set goals in our timeouts,” said Maguire. “Get three stops in a row. Don’t get stopped three times in a row. What play do we want to run? What defense do we want to get in? Sometimes, it’s just to breathe.
“It’s focusing on little things that they can control and feel more at ease.”
Springside-Chestnut Hill, Agnes Irwin Continue to Improve:
Buoyed by freshman Mikiaya Durham’s 22 points and junior Faith Scally’s 15, Springside-Chestnut Hill’s offense reached a season high in a 57-36 win over visiting Agnes Irwin.
“We came out with a lot of energy,” said SCH coach Florence Hagains. “We shared the ball more and never let up.”
Scally’s career-high output began with a 10-point first quarter while Durham added 11. The Blue Devils connected on eight treys (five by Durham) and held a 39-18 advantage heading into halftime.
“It was our time to get a good win in,” said Scally. “We were having a hard time, but this win is going to put us on an incline. It was a great game with great energy. We wouldn’t have been able to win the game if we weren’t together.”
Though defeated, Agnes Irwin tied their second-best offensive production.
“We handled their pressure better and got to the foul line,” said AI coach Shanette Lee, “but defensively, we gave up way to many threes.”
Despite their record, don’t feel sorry for the Owls.
“Even though we have had a challenging season, I don’t believe our record is an accurate reflection of our team’s growth over the past several weeks,” said senior Isabella Carlino, who scored 15 points against SCH. “Our team has worked very hard and shown a lot of heart.
“Our coaches have done a great job of keeping us focused on getting better each week and having fun. We are all committed to finishing the season strong and building a foundation for next year.”
SCHA's Tatyana Hall says her team needs to focus on bringing the energy - PSD VIdeo by John Wilson
GA vs. SCHA - PSD Gallery by Patty Morgan
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)