Photos/Videos: Krystal Williams, Donna Eckert & John Knebels
By: John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – For the new kid on the block, everything comes together tomorrow night, and on the biggest stage.
When Lansdale Catholic squares off against Archbishop Wood in the Philadelphia Catholic League championship at the Palestra, history will be made regardless of the outcome.
Only six teams have even reached the PCL championship this century. Lansdale Catholic, which joined the league in 2008-09, becomes the seventh.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said a visually fulfilled Lansdale Catholic coach Eric Gidney Tuesday night. “Give me a few more minutes with that one.”
Minutes earlier, the Crusaders had defeated Archbishop Carroll, 53-39, in a PCL semifinal at the University City campus of St. Joseph’s University.
Lansdale Catholic vs. Archbishop Carroll - 2023 semifinal highlights by John Knebels & Donna Eckert
A tight lead of 34-30 steadily grew early in the fourth quarter. While Lansdale Catholic made most of its attempts from the field, Carroll, despite steady production from senior Taylor Wilson (16 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, steal) and junior Brooke Wilson (12 points, three steals, two rebounds), struggled mightily.
The postgame celebration – festive but somewhat muted – spoke a clear message: Simply reaching the PCL final, though a marvelous accomplishment, is not enough for these Crusaders.
“The PCL championship is in some ways more prestigious than a state championship, just because of how good the league is and there are always multiple state champions out of the PCL,” said senior Jaida Helm, a first-team All-Catholic who transferred to LC after a sterling career at Abington High School. “I grew up going to watch the finals at the Palestra every year with my dad, but I never thought I’d play in it because I wasn’t going to a Catholic high school.”
Helm, who scored a game-high 17 points in a 49-31, regular-season victory over Wood on February 7, finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and a block against Carroll. The only game in which she didn’t produce solid numbers was in LC’s only league defeat, 53-51, on February 2 against visiting Cardinal O’Hara. In that game, a scoreless Helm was whistled for five fouls in less than 10 minutes of playing time, yet the Crusaders twice had a chance to tie or go ahead inside the final minute.
The scary part about Lansdale Catholic’s lineup is that it is quite capable of hurting you from several angles. An obviously athletic squad that swarms defensively, the Crusaders possess four legitimate scorers – all of them All-Catholics.
Olivia Boccella pumped in 20 points to send Lansdale Catholic past Archbishop Carroll and into the PCL Final - PSD Video by john Knebels
Gabby Casey's 18 points and 11 rebounds helped lead Lansdale Catholic to the PCL final - PSD Video by John Knebels
Ecstatic Lansdale Catholic coach Eric Gidney lauds his troops - PSD Video by John Knebels
Sophomore first-team All-Catholic Sanyiah Littlejohn tallied 20 points – 10 in the fourth quarter – in the aforementioned two-point loss to O’Hara. Junior second-teamer Olivia Boccella and senior Most Valuable Player Gabby Casey average double digits.
The duet was absolute money against Carroll. While Casey scored her typical 18 points while nabbing 11 rebounds and blocking two shots, Boccella was lethal from beyond. She nailed five three-pointers – at least one in every quarter – and led all scorers with 20 points.
“I actually never thought of myself as a three-point shooter until I got to LC,” said Boccella. “Growing up, I played mostly point guard but never was called an actual shooter. When I got to LC, my three-point shot was something that my coach thought had a lot of potential and could help contribute to the team.
“I developed from a point guard and moved to a shooting guard. I started to shoot more and more in the off-season and have focused especially on my three-point shot over the past couple years.
Lansdale Catholic vs. Archbishop Carroll - 2023 Semifinal Gallery by Krystal Williams
“Shooting takes a lot of practice and luckily my brothers (former LC standout athletes Jimmy and Kevin) are always willing to rebound for me.”
For Casey, who has already committed to St. Joseph’s University, tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
“I am super excited,” said Casey. “I have not stopped thinking about the Palestra. Every second, it is on my mind thinking about walking through the doors and onto the court.
“I was asking my teammates today at practice if they are going to be able to sleep on Monday night and they were like, ‘Not at all.’ We are all incredibly excited and can not wait.”
Casey’s teammates share her eagerness.
“Once I came to LC, a PCL championship was at the top of my list of things I wanted to accomplish because I knew it never happened before,” said Helm. “I remember when I first got here, me, Gabby and Sanyiah had a conversation about how cool it would be to bring a PCL championship to LC and to play at the Palestra.
“It really means a lot to have the opportunity to do this for the community at LC, because they show us so much love.”
Lansdale Catholic vs. Archbishop Carroll - 2023 Semifinal Gallery by Donna Eckert
Tip off has been moved to 6:00, the earliest start in recent memory and an excellent, smart decision by the PCL.
Lansdale Catholic appreciates it.
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @jknebels.)