By: John Knebels
(Photos by Donna Eckert for PSD)
PHILADELPHIA – Think UConn vs. Tennessee. Or maybe King Kong vs. Godzilla.
Since its inception in 1944-45, the Philadelphia Catholic League’s most storied programs have been Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll. The former has captured 18 championships since 1967; the latter has seized 10 since 1974.
One of those schools will add to their gaudy totals.
In the PCL semifinals Feb. 22 at Conwell-Egan High School, top-seed Carroll defeated five-seed Neumann-Goretti, 50-35, and two-seed O’Hara followed with a 55-48 victory over three-seed and defending league champion Archbishop Wood.
At 6:15 PM Monday at the Palestra, the two PCL heavyweights will meet in the championship for the ninth time. Cardinal O’Hara owns a 5-3 head-to-head lead with victories in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2005, and 2008; Archbishop Carroll has countered with titles in 2000, 2003, and 2004.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” said Carroll coach Renie Shields. “They stepped up when they had to step up. It gives the girls a chance to go down to the Palestra and see what it’s actually like. There’s nothing like it. For the girls I always tell them, it’s the best feeling you’re ever going to get.”
Carroll senior Grace O’Neill’s sterling performance offset a dogged effort by Neumann-Goretti. The Drexel University-bound guard orchestrated 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one block, and eight of her 13 free throws in a clinching fourth quarter.
Now O’Neill gets to possibly bookend her high school career with championships. As a freshman in 2019, O’Neill scored 13 points to help Carroll defeat Archbishop Wood, 48-42, in overtime.
“My team and I are so excited to play on Monday,” said O’Neill. “Playing the PCL championship has been something we have worked towards all season. Being able to be at the Palestra is unlike any other feeling, and I can’t wait to experience it again with my team.
Carroll vs. Neumann-Goretti Semifinal Highlights by Donna Eckert & John KNebels
Carroll vs. Neumann-Goretti - PCL Semifinal Gallery by Donna Eckert for PSD
“When I was a freshman, my teammates gave me confidence with the ball and trusted me to handle the pressure. It’s now my job to help my teammates feel that I trust them on the court as well. With experience and help from my coaches and teammates, I have definitely developed more composure when playing big games.”
Shields smiled and gently shook her head when assessing her point guard’s performance.
“She’s awesome,” said Shields, who never embellishes. “You talk about somebody you’re going to miss. She really just takes care of everything on the floor.”
O’Neill didn’t do it alone. Junior Taylor Wilson scored 12 points and dominated underneath with 15 rebounds and four blocks. Senior Maggie Grant swished two key three-pointers and added three rebounds and two assists.
The Patriots were forced to play most of the game without key guard Brooke Wilson. The second-team All-Catholic sophomore is one of Carroll’s best defenders, and her energy level and all-out hustle is unmatched.
But with 6:11 left in the second quarter, Wilson rolled her ankle and lay on the gym floor for seven scary minutes. She was able to hobble to the bench but did not return.
Her status in the upcoming final is undecided.
Carroll senior Grace O’Neill orchestrated one of her best games - Video by John KNebels
Maggie Grant’s senior season is one win from perfection - Video by John KNebels
Carroll coach Renie Shields stresses the importance of team depth - Video by John KNebels
Taylor Wilson dominated the boards and added 12 points - VIdeo by John Knebels
Neumann-Goretti was unable to take full advantage of Wilson’s vacancy, though not for a lack of effort. Senior D’Ayzha Atkinson (15 points, 11 rebounds), senior Mihjae Hayes (11 points), and sophomore Brooke Barnes (four points, seven rebounds, two blocks) competed hard.
But a 44-27 rebounding advantage helped keep Carroll undefeated in the PCL – 10-0 in the regular season, and 2-0 in the postseason.
“It is definitely special to be getting a chance to play in the championship at the Palestra,” said Taylor Wilson. “It has been my dream for a while and is something I am going to remember for a long time. O’Hara is a great team, and I am very excited to play them. It will be a great game.”
Grant said the Patriots need to “just stay focused and make sure we are really concentrating on what we are doing so we are prepared for the different situations that come up in Monday’s game.”
Carroll junior Meg Sheridan believes the championship final indeed poses the PCL’s two best squads.
“This game is huge for both teams and is well deserved,” said Sheridan. “Just because we went undefeated does not mean we have any off days. Our team continued to compete in practices to make sure we are well prepared for O’Hara, and I know they are doing the same thing.
“Playing in the Palestra is a huge accomplishment. I’m so proud of my team for their determination and hard work that got us to this point. It’s gonna be a really fun game to watch and play because O’Hara is an amazing team, but so are we.”
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Archbishop Wood PCL Semifinal highlights by John Knebels & Donna Eckert:
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Wood - PCL Semifinal Gallery by Donna Eckert for PSD
O’Hara’s win over Archbishop Wood ignited more hoopla, and for good reason. The Lions kept the Vikings from reaching the PCL final for only the second time in 14 seasons.
The Lions, whose only PCL loss was at Carroll, 49-39, on Feb. 1, used a dominant third quarter to open a 43-34 lead heading into the final stanza.
O’Hara’s starting lineup played most of the game, and all five extended important contributions.
“We knew we were in for a battle,” said O’Hara coach Chrissie Doogan, who scored a composite 60 points in three straight PCL titles from 1991 through 1993 as a scholastic star at O’Hara. “We had a couple of good days of practice leading up to it, so it felt good.
“I thought our seniors stepped up late, played some defense, and got some rebounds. They just didn’t let us lose.”
Doogan’s daughter, senior Maggie Doogan, provided 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists. On her last point – a free throw in the closing seconds – Doogan reached 1,000 career points.
“Scoring 1,000 is such a cool honor, and my teammates were so happy for me,” said Doogan. “It was great. I didn’t even know I got it until after the game, but it was a cool moment that I’m glad I got to experience.
“This was such a fun game to play, but we’re not done. “We still have to finish this off at the Palestra and get the job done. With this group of girls, going to the Palestra is so special. We all play great together and are super close off the court, so being able to get this opportunity is amazing; just have to finish the job.”
At every practice and home game moving forward, Chrissie Doogan will always be reminded of her daughter’s accomplishment.
“When we go back in the gym I’ll get to see her name on the same banner as my name,” said Doogan, who tallied 1,446 points at O’Hara. “She’s really picked it up over the pas two years as far as scoring and being a leader for the team. I’m really proud of her.”
Doogan said she was confident the Lions would prevail for two reasons.
Congratulations to O'Hara senior Maggie Doogan, who scored her 1,000th career point in the PCL semifinal - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert
“We had a couple of good days of practice leading up to it,” said Doogan, “and when you live with one of your players and she promises me that we’re not going to lose, I felt pretty good all day.”
Often O’Hara’s leading scorer, Doogan was outdone by freshman Molly Rullo.
Playing more like a veteran upperclassman, Rullo seized the spotlight from start to finish, netting a game-high 19 points. Senior Annie Welde (five points, five rebounds), senior Sydni Scott (seven points, five rebounds), and junior Bridget Dawson (five points, two rebounds) rounded out the Lions’ balanced attack and helped offset Wood senior Ryanne Allen’s 18 points and junior Deja Evans’ eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
“My focus has been the same all season long since I arrived at O’Hara,” said Rullo. “I’m just continuing to work hard every day and step up into whatever role my coaches and team need me to play in order for us to be successful.
“It was just really exciting to be able to compete in such an awesome environment like the semis and do whatever I could to get our seniors Annie, Syd, Kristen (Kutufaris), and Maggie to the Palestra.”
A freshman?? Molly Rullo scored a game-high 19 points - Video by John Knebels
O'Hara coach Chrissie Doogan appreciated her team's mature composure - Video by John Knebels
Scott predicts that “the Palestra atmosphere is going to be crazy” and said the Lions “have to make adjustments because they beat us the first time.”
According to Welde, the Lions need to balance the pressure with embracing the moment.
“This is something very few people get to experience, and we are going to take advantage of the chance we have,” said Welde. “I think it is important, especially with the younger girls on our team, to remind them that this is fun. We have worked all year to get here, and now we get to enjoy it and just play.
“People will be nervous, but it’s an exciting feeling and it’s important that we stay together and composed.”
As for the amount of ties and lead changes in the final? Pick the over.
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)