Since then, four teams have painted a perfect regular season before falling in the championship: the 2016 Neumann-Goretti team lost to two-seed Archbishop Wood, 40-36, which ended the Saints’ 53-game winning streak; the 2017 Archbishop Wood team dropped a 35-30 decision against three-seed Cardinal O’Hara; the 2018 Neumann-Goretti squad led by nine late in the third quarter before a stunning 54-39 loss to three-seed O’Hara; and the 2022 Archbishop Carroll team got blindsided by two-seed O’Hara, 55-30. 

Other than needing to overcome a late double-digit deficit against visiting Archbishop Carroll on Jan. 20, this year’s Vikings have dominated the competition. Over a two-week stretch, Wood upended Cardinal O’Hara by 13, Carroll by five, Lansdale Catholic by 18, and Neumann-Goretti by 17. 

According to Wood senior Emily Knouse, although those recent memories remain pleasant, they’re old news. The Vikings’ only focus is on eight-seed Conwell-Egan, whom Wood defeated, 80-58, on Jan. 4.

“I think especially now that we have beaten every team, they’re going to change up their game plan a little bit and throw everything at us,” said Knouse, who in the 70-52 win at Lansdale Catholic on Jan. 23 tied a program record with 34 points, aided by nailing seven three-pointers in the first half. “I think everyone, including us, is going to do whatever it takes to win.”

The victory helped the Patriots finish 9-2 and await a match-up with defending PCL champion and six-seed Lansdale Catholic, which lost at Carroll, 44-31, on Jan. 26.

Thrilled teammates immediately surrounded the affable Wilson, who cried some gentle tears after receiving hugs from players and coaches before returning to the game.

On Tuesday night, Wilson had even more reason to celebrate after being named PCL Most Valuable Player.  

“It was such a great moment,” said Wilson, whose sister Taylor also eclipsed 1,000 points before graduating last year. “Just seeing all my teammates, coaches, family, and friends so excited for me and so happy made me really emotional. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing team, and it was just one of those moments that made me realize how lucky I am.”

Carroll coach Renie Shields acknowledged Wilson’s all-around ability and constant fortitude.

“Brooke has continued to be an offensive and defensive presence on the floor,” said Shields. “From her freshman through senior year, you see a player who competes and works to make her team better. Scoring 1,000 points is a testament to the hard work and focus she puts forth every day.”

Looking for a signature victory, the Saints achieved precisely that in their 76-71 season-finale success against visiting Cardinal O’Hara, their first win over the Lions since 2019. 

Neumann-Goretti coach Andrea Peterson received a complete effort from junior Carryn Easley (15 points, 8 assists), junior Amya Scott (19 points), freshman Reginna Baker (24 points), and sophomore Kamora Berry (16 points). 

“Great team win on both ends of the floor,” said Peterson. “Our leaders did a good job of leading the way and keeping our younger kids locked in.”

Their 6-2 record down the stretch included several key wins, none more than a stunning 36-35 victory over visiting Lansdale Catholic in the regular-season finale.

Not only did the nail-biter elevate Nazareth from a six-seed to a five-seed, it also might help them earn a spot in the District 12 playoffs.

And one more thing . . . Nazareth became the first PCL team to defeat the defending champion in their inaugural debut.

“We are extremely proud of our girls this year,” said Nazareth coach Mary Kate Magagna. “We understood that switching over to the PCL was going to be a challenge for us with an entirely new schedule and the talent in the league. We took the season game-by-game, adapted, and gave our best effort each day. We knew that every game was going to be a battle no matter the talent or record of the opposing team. We are excited to earn a playoff spot and look forward to how the postseason will play out.”

Nazareth Academy junior Reese Power, who led all scorers with 16 points, recognized the challenge before the opening tip.

Coming off its first-ever PCL title, Lansdale Catholic raced to a 4-0 start. But inconsistency resulted in a 3-4 conclusion, a surprising 36-35 loss at Nazareth Academy, an unforeseen sixth seed, and a quarterfinal match-up at three-seed Archbishop Carroll.

The Crusaders, however, cannot be overlooked. In addition to possessing one of the PCL’s best-ever sharpshooters in senior Olivia Boccella and a dangerous point guard in junior

Sanyiah Littlejohn, Lansdale Catholic junior center/forward Grace McDonough has displayed an ability to be a difference maker.

Sophomore Ciani Scott (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists), junior Nyla Coleman (15 points, 5 rebounds), sophomore Ciana Blake (9 points, 5 steals, 4 assists), and sophomore Jasmine Butler (10 points) etched one of the season’s best performances.

“Really nice to get a win in a tough environment,” said West Catholic coach Messiah Reames. “It was a team effort across the boards. The players and the coaches were all locked in on coming out of there with the win.”

A 4-7 record left Conwell-Egan as an eight seed and a trip to undefeated Archbishop Wood. The Eagles began the league season losing three of four, won three straight, and then lost their last four – including two nail biters (48-42 at Nazareth Academy and 58-55 against West Catholic).

Senior Brianna McFadden, who will play at Gwynedd-Mercy University next year while her twin sister Brooke will hoop it up at the College of New Jersey, shared her thoughts on the regular season.

“While it has been a tough season, we have competed with some of the top teams, have had some close losses, and even with some of the larger-margin losses, we have been close in the third quarter every game, so we feel like we can compete if we play our best basketball,” said McFadden. “We keep making improvements throughout the season, but so are all of the other teams.

“You only get better playing better teams, and Wood is the best we can get this year. They are super athletic, well-coached, play great defense, and can put the ball in the basket from anywhere. For me and Brooke, Wood is always one of our favorite teams to play because we know how tough they are. I hope that we can shock those keeping up with our season and be able to compete and hopefully pull out the win.”

“We are young and inexperienced, but we are making strides,” said coach Dave Schafer. “A lack of numbers hurts.”

According to senior Allie Szychulski, Little Flower’s 0-11 record betrayed the more important big picture.

"Even though the season may not have gone as planned, the Little Flower basketball players put their heart and soul into every game and practice,” said Szychulski, who will now prepare to play softball. “It was a great season and we did everything as a team.