Cardinal O'Hara crowned 21-22 Philadelphia Catholic League Champions - PSD Photo by Mike Nance
Photos/Videos: Krystal Williams, Mike Nance, Mark Zimmaro and John Knebels
By: John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – Chrissie Doogan heard their pleas. Heard them loud and clear. If possible, she would have informed the boisterous student section that there was no reason to worry.
Finally, halfway through the fourth quarter, the Cardinal O’Hara coach summoned the crowd favorite.
In came senior Kristen Kutufaris, and the Lion faithful erupted.
Though several standouts supplied gaudy statistics that helped two-seed Cardinal O’Hara overwhelm previously undefeated top-seed Archbishop Carroll, 55-30, in the Philadelphia Catholic League championship Feb. 28 at the historic Palestra, Kutufaris has become the epitome of what makes a team, well, a team.
"Ku’ comes in every day with a smile on her face,” said O’Hara senior phenom Maggie Doogan. “She’s never complaining. She’ll laugh and make jokes when we’re stretching, but when practice starts, she’s all in and she’s willing to make us better, and I think that has really helped our guards. She’s so quick and she keeps everyone in front of her.”
Doogan, a first-team all-state center and two-time first-team All-Catholic who had just scored 19 points, snared 10 rebounds, and dished four assists, paused before paying her pal a supreme compliment.
“We wouldn’t be O’Hara without her,” said Doogan.
Standing next to the 6-foot, 1-inch, Richmond University-bound Doogan, the 5-1 Kutufaris flashed that trademark smile.
“Aw,” said Kutufaris, clearly moved by Doogan’s sincere sentiment. “Thank you.”
21-22 PCL Championship Highlights by Mark Zimmaro for PSD:
21-22 PCL Championship Gallery - PSD Photos by Krystal Williams
Ever since she was promoted from junior varsity to varsity two years ago, Kutufaris’ main job has been to make practice as difficult as possible for the starting guards, namely four-time first-team All-Catholic, 1,000-point scorer Sydni Scott.
When Kutufaris accepted the invitation to play with the top squad, she knew that meant sacrificing her own spotlight. Though she would be a starter for several PCL programs, Kutufaris has zero regrets about her decision to play second fiddle to players such as Doogan, Scott (eight points, five assists against Carroll), freshman sensation Molly Rullo (11 points, six rebounds), senior Annie Welde (eight points), and junior Bridget Dawson.
“Oh my God, I’d rather this, are you kidding me?” said Kutufaris. “This is the best feeling. It’s literally as much a win for me as it is for them. Everyone knows her role. We make them better. We do it for them. We’re all in this together.
“This is the best team. Everyone loves each other. We all help each other out. Every day, whether it’s on the court or off the court, we’re there for each other. And I would not trade that. Ever."
O’Hara seniors Kristen Kutufaris & Maggie Doogan mutually benefited from each other en route to a PCL title - Video by John Knebels
L to R: Post Game Press Conference with Chrissie Doogan, Maggie Doogan, Annie Welde, and Sydni Scott - Video by John Knebels
Coach Doogan, who became the first coach in the history of the Catholic League to win a title at the Palestra as both a player (three straight from 1991 through 1993) and coach (Carroll’s Renie Shields coached Carroll to the 2019 title and also won one as a junior on West Catholic in 1977, but that game was at St. Joseph’s College, later University), trusted that Kutufaris would fully embrace her unique responsibilities.
What made that scenario potentially challenging was Kutufaris’ impressive resume as an all-around athlete. In addition to playing field hockey before a knee injury prevented her from competing this past fall, Kutufaris earned an honorable mention All-Catholic selection on the O’Hara lacrosse team that lost to Carroll in the PCL final last spring.
Though offered scholarships to play lacrosse in college, Kutufaris has decided to nix athletics and will attend Penn State University and major in cyber security.
“She brings energy every day,” said Coach Doogan. “When she made the team last year as a junior after two years of JV, I said. ‘Kristen, I want you on the team. I want you in the gym. I want your energy, but I can’t promise you any playing time.’ She’s like, ‘I want to me a part of it.’ She’s totally bought into it, and she does her role tremendously.
“Students love her. They’re yelling at me to get her in, and she totally deserves it. She has zero expectations on the floor. She just wants to push our guards. She can defend Syd. She gets up and guards her every day and makes her work.”
Cardinal O’Hara head coach Chrissie Doogan has a LOT to celebrate after winning PCL title alongside daughter Maggie - Video by John KNebels
As the final seconds ticked away and O’Hara awaited celebrating its 19th PCL championship and sixth win in nine finals against Carroll, the Lion starters and key reserves held arms and, at the buzzer, raced to center court where Kutufaris and four underclassmen had just dribbled out the clock.
The last one to join the ecstatic fray?
You guessed it.
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
