Archbishop Wood defeats fellow PCL opponent Lansdale Catholic 57-45 to win the PIAA 4A State Title - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert
Photos/Videos: Donna Eckert & John Knebels
By: John Knebels
HERSHEY, PA – Two consecutive state titles. One Philadelphia Catholic League crown. A 10-game winning streak on the state’s biggest stage.
About a week after allowing the magnitude of Thursday’s 57-45 PIAA Class 4A state title victory over stubborn Lansdale Catholic at the Giant Center to marinate, Archbishop Wood’s three seniors were asked to reflect on their astounding legacy.
“Since the championship, and with the season ending, I’ve been able to kinda wrap my head around the fact that this chapter is really over,” said PCL Most Valuable Player Ryanne Allen. “Looking back on the past four years, it’s kinda remarkable what we’ve been able to do and overcome, especially under certain circumstances with the season getting canceled (in the state quarterfinals in 2020) and then having to deal with Covid the following year.”
The Vanderbilt University guard finished with 1,418 career points, second most in school history, just one more than 2004 grad Pam Rosanio and a stone’s throw from 2021 alum and current Villanova University freshman Kaitlin Orihel’s 1,462.
In her last performance, Allen scored a team-high 17 points in 31 minutes. She hit four three-pointers, including two key treys in a third quarter that saw the Vikings (23-7 overall) outscore the pesky Crusaders by 14-7 and take a 35-29 lead into the final eight minutes of the season.
Archbishop Wood vs. Lansdale Catholic PIAA 4A Championship Highlights & Post Game Celebration & Remarks: Video by John KNebels & Donna Eckert
Archbishop Wood receives their PIAA 4A State Championship Gold Medals - Video by John Knebels
“When you walk in the gym at Wood, the first thing you see is the banners on the wall,” said Allen. “To be able to know you were a part of two of them, and remembering the people you did it with it’s awesome. And adding the PCL chip (in 2021) and what it took to get that . . . it’s special, and I’m super thankful to have had these experiences.”
In last year’s PIAA state final, Bri Bowen scored a grand total of zero points. Basketball gurus, however, would quickly point out that the University of Delaware commit supplied an enormous contribution to the title because of her trademark standout defense.
But this year, Bowen needed to contribute on offense. Lansdale Catholic seized a 38-37 lead with 5:33 remaining in a season hanging in the balance, and LC was successfully doubling Allen.
Along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal, Bowen dropped a cool eight-of nine from the foul line during a 43-second stretch over the final minute of regulation.
“Over the four years, we had a lot of success and always knew we were getting our opponents’ best, which made things more competitive,” said Bowen. “That was part of the reason I wanted to play for Wood and in the PCL.
“There were many highs and lows. The two PCL overtime losses at the Palestra my freshman and sophomore year really hurt, but reflecting back, it made me stronger dealing with adversity and made our team grow. As an individual, being a part of these big games will help me at the next level.”
Senior Shannon Morgan answers questions, and then feels the appreciation of her nearby teammates - Video by John Knebels:
Archbishop Wood Junior Delaney Finnegan enjoys the unselfish nature of her Viking teammates - PSD Video by John KNebels:
Archbishop Wood junior Deja Evans was extremely humble after a spectacular 15-point, 20-rebound state record effort - Video by John KNebels
Bowen said last year’s PCL title was “extra special because that is the hardest title to win.” She pointed out that Wood has not lost a state playoff game since 2019.
“Playing at the Giant Center and being able to win back-to-back state championships will be something I never forget,” said Bowen. “Being on the court with my teammates and coaches and storming the court, holding up the state championship trophy and Hershey bar will be a memory forever.”
Arguably Wood’s least heralded performer, Shannon Morgan’s statistics rarely jump off the sheet. Her coaches and teammates, however, realize that Morgan’s ball-handling skills at the point provides an essential element of Wood’s winning equation that has now reached a mind-boggling seven state championships in the past 12 seasons.
So Morgan’s final numbers of four points, two assists, and two steals betray the most important figures – one turnover in 23 minutes.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing my team and I will forever have these memories to look back on and to be proud of for the rest of our lives,” said Morgan. “It means a lot to know that every time I come back to the gym I can look up at the wall and see the championships my team and I worked hard for and remember the times we had together.
“I came into Wood with the goal of winning a PCL and state championship, so coming out with both is kind of like a dream come true in a way. I will cherish all the memories I have made these past four years, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Wood Coach Mike McDonald dissects school’s second straight PIAA title and seventh since 2010 - Video by John KNebels
Two great coaches Wood's Mike McDonald & Lansdale's Eric Gidney represent the essence of PCL athletics:
Wood’s seniors needed help to hold off the upset-minded Crusaders. Junior Deja Evans scored 15 points and collected a state-record 20 rebounds to go along with three blocks. Junior Delaney Finnegan displayed strong defense, and her two baskets in the fourth quarter turned a 41-38 edge into a somewhat comfortable 45-37.
“We’re just looking to win,” said Finnegan. “We’re not looking for anybody to pay hero ball. I think we’re all leaders. It’s not just one. It’s all of us together.”
Wood coach Mike McDonald had warned people all week that Lansdale Catholic was more than capable of emerging victorious.
“I didn’t think it was going to be easy,” said McDonald. “Some people were talking about the game back in February (a 78-54 Wood win). It’s not the same. It’s not the same gym. It’s not the same Lansdale Catholic team. It’s a whole entirely different game. I knew it was going to be a really tough battle.”
A battle that the Vikings – and in particular, their three seniors – will cherish forever.
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
