GIRLS BASKETBALL: Down to the Final Four and How They Got There in This Week's PCL Semifinal Preview

By John Knebels, 02/21/22, 8:00PM EST

PCL Round-Up Sponsored by Gwynedd Mercy University

Photos/Videos: Colleen Claggett, Pete Delpo, Donna Eckert, John Knebels & Krystal Williams

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Andrea Peterson has a metaphorical PhD in basketball, but after the regular season concluded, the Neumann-Goretti coach became a pseudo psychologist.

Celebrating a lopsided victory over West Catholic on Feb. 11 that concluded a brutal stretch of 10 games in 18 days, Peterson provided a message that her fatigued troops loved hearing.

“I gave them two days off,” said Peterson. “I told them to be a kid. Go be a kid. Don’t talk basketball. Don’t look at basketball. Don’t look at film.”

Peterson’s strategy worked.

In a Philadelphia Catholic League quarterfinal Feb. 17, visiting five-seed Neumann-Goretti defeated four-seed Lansdale Catholic, 66-52, and advanced to the semifinals against undefeated top-seed Archbishop Carroll Tuesday (5:30) at Conwell-Egan High School.

Trailing by double digits late in the first quarter, the Saints outscored the Crusaders by 58-40 and avenged a 71-63 loss at Lansdale Catholic 12 nights earlier.

Neumann-Goretti vs. Lansdale Catholic in Quarterfinal Game. (highlights by John Knebels for PSD)

“We took a couple of days to regroup, watch film, and rest our bodies,” said N-G senior Mihjae Hayes. “That played a big part in our game. It gave us enough energy.”

A prolific scorer and first-team All-Catholic, Hayes poured in 27 points and added a handful of assists. When the Crusaders were able to temper Hayes, they struggled to stop senior D’Ayzha Atkinson.

After scoring 13 points in the first half, Atkinson added six more in the second to finish with 19. Sophomore Brooke Barnes tallied eight points while freshman Amya Scott added seven.

Andrea Peterson employed a smart strategy for her players heading into the playoffs - Video/John Knebels

Neumann-Goretti Seniors Mihjae Hayes (L) and D’Ayzha Atkinson were ready for the challenge - Video/John Knebels

Down 49-29, the Crusaders rode the shoulders of foul-plagued junior Gabby Casey (19 points, 12 rebounds) and freshman sparkplug Sanyiah Littlejohn (10 points) to ignite a late 11-0 third quarter run to move within 49-40, but Neumann-Goretti scored the first seven points of the fourth to regain momentum.

Never-say-die Lansdale Catholic had one last gasp and decreased its deficit to 58-48, but after Casey was called for a questionable fifth foul via an offensive charge with 5:24 remaining, Hayes canned five straight free throws to clinch the deal.

“I wasn’t concerned,” said Hayes, referring to LC’s 20-10 lead in the first quarter. “That’s basketball. Basketball is a game of runs. You’re gonna be down, but you can’t let up. You can’t fold when you get down. You can’t stop shooting. You might not make the first four, but you’re gonna make the next ones. It’s a mental thing.”

In arguably the best performance of her career, Atkinson cited Hayes as N-G’s unquestioned catalyst.

“We know that Maj is going to give her all,” said Atkinson. “We can’t let her down.”

Neumann-Goretti vs. Lansdale Catholic PCL Quarterfinal Gallery by LC Jr. Reporter Pete Delpo

In other quarterfinal action:

Top-seed Archbishop Carroll opened a 39-10 halftime lead and defeated eight-seed West Catholic. The Patriots will meet fifth-seed Neumann-Goretti at Conwell-Egan 5:30 Tuesday. On Feb. 3, Carroll defeated Neumann-Goretti, 53-46, erasing a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit.

In the win over West Catholic, first-team All-Catholic junior Taylor Wilson scored 18 points. First-team All-Catholic senior Grace O’Neill added 15 points. Second-team senior Maggie Grant chipped in with eight. O’Neill and second-team sophomore Brooke Wilson dished four assists apiece. Second-team Amina Reid led the Burrs with 12 points.

“Playoffs is what we have been working toward all season and we are ready,” said Taylor Wilson. “This is where we see all the hard work we have put in since November pay off, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Archbishop Carroll vs. West Catholic Quarterfinal Game. (photos/Colleen Claggett for PSD)

Archbishop Carroll vs. West Catholic. Game Highlights by Colleen Claggett for PSD)

Behind first-team All-Catholic senior Maggie Doogan’s 14 points and six rebounds and fellow first-team All-Catholic senior Sydni Scott’s 10 points and five assists, two-seed Cardinal O’Hara toppled seven-seed St. Hubert’s. In the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader at Conwell-Egan, the Lions will face three-seed Archbishop Wood.

The Lions lost to Wood in last year’s PCL championship, but handled the visiting defending champs, 61-54, on Jan. 25. According to freshman Molly Rullo, the Lions can’t get swept up in revenge mode.

“We have to understand our game plan both offensively and defensively and understand personnel and execute,” said Rullo, a second-team All-Catholic who scored eight points in the quarterfinal win. “We need to stay loose and composed and enjoy the moment.”

Cardinal O'Hara vs. St. Hubert PCL Quarterfinal Highlights by Krystal Williams:

O'Hara vs. St. Hubert - PSD Quarterfinal Gallery by Krystal Williams

In three-seed Archbishop Wood’s triumph over six-seed Conwell-Egan, 15 different players contributed. PCL Most Valuable Player senior Ryanne Allen amassed 23 points, six steals, and three assists. Freshman Emily Knouse (12 points), and junior Delaney Finnegan (10) also reached double figures.

The defending champion Vikings will look to avenge their regular-season loss at Cardinal O’Hara on Jan. 25. They were able to trim a 24-point deficit into a respectable 61-54 defeat.

“It is very exciting making it to the semis this year,” said senior Shannon Morgan, who contributed five points, two assists, one rebound, and one steal against Conwell-Egan. “It means we are one step closer to the Palestra.

“We definitely want to come out stronger than last time we played O’Hara and be ready to do whatever it takes to win. The loss to them earlier in the season definitely makes our team want to win this semifinal game even more.