Photos/Videos: Donna Eckert, Jack Verdeur, Zamani Feelings & John Knebels

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Regardless of the hype and superfluous analysis, regular-season games in the Philadelphia Catholic League among the top contenders serve mostly as gauges to see where they stand against the early elite. 

Two recent games personify the mid-season jostling.

“I just want to help my team,” said Evans. “Whatever I have to do.”

Finnegan arguably played one of her best high school games. Along with the aforementioned defense and tallying a team-high 13 points on five-of-eight shooting (three-of-four from the three), Finnegan contributed three rebounds, a steal, a block, and no fouls.

One of four team captains, Finnegan lauded teammates such as junior Ava Renninger (10 points, five rebounds, assist, 8-of-12 from the foul line), senior starter Kara Meredith (nine points, two assists) and junior sub Alexa Windish, who came off the bench to provide a palpable spark that translated into six points and a team-high three assists.

“It’s great how we have a balance of older and younger,” said Finnegan. “It gives us a lot of diversity in our skill sets. Everybody has something that they can add to the team.

“Our bench is really deep and the younger kids are just ready to come in whenever they’re needed, whenever our coach needs us. They bring a lot to the team.”

Windish offered props to senior captain Allie Fleming, who was lost for the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament two weeks ago.

“Coming off the bench, what I need to do is use some energy and help out my team any way I can,” said Windish. “With Allie being out, one of our really good players, we all need to step up. She was a big part of our team. Playing as hard as I possibly can is all I can do.”

Meredith admitted that defeating O’Hara was particularly satisfying.

“We lost to O’Hara last year,” she said. “They’re kind of our rivals, and we wanted to come out and beat them this year. We emphasized moving the ball so we can get each other open. We play for the person next to us.”

Undaunted, O’Hara coach Chrissie Doogan said she was looking forward to the second half of the season.

Down 24-7 late in the second, Coleman drained a three and Rullo followed with a basket that gave O’Hara some light, trailing 24-12 at halftime. A 15-4 third quarter, highlighted by Quinn’s long-range marksmanship, lowered the Lions’ deficit to 28-27.

In the fourth, Rullo gave O’Hara its first lead at 29-28 with 7:15 left in regulation. Coleman then took a pretty pass from Rullo and followed suit. She then added a free throw, and the Lions led 32-28.

Ahead by 36-33, Coleman collected an ultra-important rebound after a missed O’Hara free throw. Rullo then wrapped up the dramatic win by going four-for-four from the line, making the disastrous first quarter an afterthought, though simultaneously something to learn from.

“We were really nervous, as we should be,” said Coleman, referring to the initial 15-0 deficit. “(Assistant coach) Mr. (Chris) Genther took us aside and gave us an extra pep talk. From there on, we just wanted it.” 

Six days before the bitter O’Hara defeat, Archbishop Carroll wasn’t able to overcome visiting Archbishop Wood, dropping a defense-dominated 34-20 decision. 

All was not lost, however. In the third quarter, senior Taylor Wilson joined the quadruple club.

Carroll coach Renie Shields has watched Wilson grow into one of the PCL’s top players over the past three seasons.

“It is no surprise she hit the 1,000 point mark,” said Shields. “She continued to put the time and effort in to make that happen, and we could not be more proud of her.

“In her time with the Carroll basketball program, Taylor has been a contributor. She’s been an inside and outside offensive presence, provided a defensive presence in the lane, and secured numerous rebounds.”

In the aforementioned loss to O’Hara, the Wilson duo dominated in stretches. Taylor was amazing in the first quarter with eight rebounds, three points, one assist, and one block en route to a 10-point, 10-rebound performance. Brooke led all scorers with 18 points before fouling out in the final seconds.

“Back in the gym tomorrow,” said Brooke.

Fresh off a dramatic comeback 57-56 victory over Conwell-Egan clinched on a game-ending free throw by senior Sanej Tyler with three-tenths of a second left on the clock, Neumann-Goretti (5-1) doubled up host Archbishop Ryan, 59-29, and Little Flower, 72-39, for their fifth straight win. Against Ryan, Senior Amirah Hackney was a force with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals. Second-team All-Catholic sophomore Carryn Easley scored 21 points and grabbed six steals.

With the Eagles and Neumann-Goretti among four teams (including virtual lock Lansdale Catholic) fighting for two postseason spots in the PIAA Class 4A Districts, Conwell desperately needed a win. After a stunning 21-6 first quarter, it appeared for sure they were destined for victory.

But the Saints eventually clawed back before clinching the dramatic comeback from the charity stripe.

After pouring in a career high 28 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking four shots in a performance described by C-E coach Chris Brennan as “one of the best individual efforts I’ve had to pleasure to watch,” Eagle sophomore Lily Milewski reflected on her team’s effort after taking a few days off and recognized the positives in defeat.

“Being in a PCL matchup, it’s always going to be tough game,” said Milewski. “And after losing by one, those couple of days were needed. It was a great learning experience for us and we are ready to finish the regular season off strong.

“Against a talented team like Neumann-Goretti, we knew that they were going to make a run. We just have to do a better job protecting the basketball and slowing the game down and then run our offense.” 

After a win over Bonner-Prendergast, the Eagles hosted undefeated Lansdale Catholic. The Eagles played spirited basketball despite losing, 72-55. Junior Brianna McFadden scored a career-high 21 points and Milewski 13.   

“Going into the game we knew the fate of our extended season was sealed, so we challenged the girls to compete for 32 minutes and to play with composure,” said C-E coach Chris Brennan. “The girls responded with an effort that was built upon our previous games with Neumann-Goretti and Bonner-Prendie.”

First-team All-Catholic senior Gabby Casey led four players in double-figure scoring with 26 points. Behind three three’s, second-team All-Catholic junior Olivia Boccella tallied15. Jaida Helm and Nadia Yemola contributed 12 apiece.  

Now at 6-0, Lansdale Catholic joins Archbishop Wood as the only undefeated teams in the league. Prior to playing Conwell-Egan, the Crusaders were aided by a favorable schedule and, thus, an opportunity to supply several substitutes with plentiful minutes, averaging 72 points while allowing only 27.

But don’t blame the Crusaders for taking care of business.

“We prepare for every game with the same intensity no matter the opponent,” said Boccella, who in a win over St. Hubert’s last week scored 12 points while Casey led with 21. “It’s super important for us to focus on the little things like executing our plays, keeping our energy high, and playing together as a team.”

West Catholic (3-3) notched two straight hard-fought wins – 53-43 win over St. Hubert’s, and 69-53 over Archbishop Ryan. As for Hubert’s, the Bambies (1-5) will host neighborhood rival Archbishop Ryan (0-6 after a brutal start against the top teams in the PCL with a collective record of 23-3) to close out the month of January . . . After facing Lansdale Catholic, Little Flower (1-5) will take on St. Hubert’s, West Catholic, and Archbishop Ryan in their final three games . . . Improving Bonner-Prendergast (0-6) tied their season high in points in a 65-28 loss at Conwell-Egan.

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

January 31

Archbishop Ryan at St. Hubert’s

Cardinal O’Hara at Bonner-Prendergast

Little Flower at Lansdale Catholic

Archbishop Wood at Neumann-Goretti

Conwell-Egan at West Catholic

February 2

Conwell-Egan at Archbishop Ryan

Archbishop Wood at West Catholic

Cardinal O’Hara at Lansdale Catholic

Archbishop Carroll at Neumann-Goretti

Little Flower at St. Hubert’s