GIRLS BASKETBALL: The Big Three and a Newbie Comprise PCL’s Final Four

Photos/Videos: Donna Eckert, John Knebels, Lennie Malmgren & Allie Riches

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – In Philadelphia Catholic League girls’ basketball, the Final Four almost always consists of three behemoths and a different fourth team.

Of the 33 champions since 1991, Cardinal O’Hara has won 15 titles, Archbishop Carroll nine, and Archbishop Wood three. At least two of those three programs have advanced past the quarterfinals every single year.

Heading into Tuesday night’s PCL semifinals at St. Joseph University’s campus in University City, that tradition continues.

The surprise squad of 2023-24 is Nazareth Academy. Participating in the PCL for the first time, the Pandas finished in fifth place with a 7-4 record. However, it was Thursday night’s stunning 45-43 quarterfinal victory at four-seed Neumann-Goretti that solidified Nazareth as much more than simply a feel-good story.

The scoring of juniors Reese Power (24 points), Gracie Sullivan (nine), and Abby Rock (nine) offset a 21-point output by Neumann-Goretti junior Carryn Easley.

Nazareth Academy vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Quarterfinal Gallery by Allie Riches

“We went into this game very well prepared by our coaching staff with a mindset of just playing our game, controlling the pace, and making the right plays, similar to how we went into the game with Lansdale Catholic,” said Power, referring to the Pandas’ 36-35 win in their regular-season finale, thus becoming the first “new” PCL team to defeat the defending champion in their inaugural season.

“We are not surprised that we are beating these teams. Yes, they are great teams, but we are also a great team. We have put the work in day in and day out just like the other top Catholic League teams.”

Nazareth’s next challenge borders on herculean when they face undefeated Archbishop Wood. In both teams’ league openers on Dec. 12, the host Vikings overwhelmed the Pandas, 71-27. Nazareth, however, rebounded nicely, and at no time have the Pandas lost two straight in the PCL.

So . . . how did Nazareth Academy improve so much that it could erase an earlier 25-point loss to Neumann-Goretti by beating them on their floor in the playoffs?

Nazareth Academy vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD PCL Quarterfinal Highlights by Allie Riches

“Confidence,” said Nazareth coach Mary Kate Magagna. “Joining the PCL was a huge change for us. Although we were familiar with a lot of the teams, especially the local ones, it was still an adjustment. Just like anything, it takes a bit to feel like you belong. As each game passed, we could see our girls’ confidence level increasing.”

Archbishop Wood is coming off a 74-30 victory over eight-seed Conwell-Egan. As is typical for Wood during lopsided wins, 12 different players participated, and seven scored.

Along with the usual crew (junior Emily Knouse 19 points, 6 rebounds; senior Ava Renninger 10 points, 7 assists; senior Lauren Greer 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; sophomore Sophia Topakas 9 points; senior Alexa Windish 6 points), freshman Makayla Finnegan (10 points, 5 rebounds), freshman Sophia McDonald (8 points), and freshman Regan Przepioski (6 rebounds, 4 assists) made the most of their minutes.

Now comes red-hot Nazareth Academy.

“Although we did beat them earlier in the season, that was in the beginning of the season and I think both teams have grown tremendously since then,” said Greer. “So it may be good motivation for us, but we are going to come out strong and aggressive as we would for any other game. We all know what is on the line and what it is going to take to get back to the Palestra.

Archbishop Wood vs. Conwell-Egan - PSD PCL Quarterfinal Highlights by Donna Eckert

Archbishop Wood vs. Conwell-Egan - PSD PCL Quarterfinal Gallery by Donna Eckert

“Personally I am nervous and excited, but I have so much trust in my team that we will all put everything on that court to win.”

The “Quarterfinal Game of the Year” between host three-seed Archbishop Carroll and defending champion six-seed Lansdale Catholic literally came down to the wire.

Freshman Abby McFillin found herself alone under the basket, where senior Brooke Wilson found her with a perfect bounce pass. The frosh laid in a bank shot, and the subsequent buzzer gave the euphoric Patriots a 35-33 win.

“It was unbelievable,” said McFillin, who finished with 10 points. “I didn’t know I was going to get the ball. I’m just a roll player. But they gave it to me, I shot it, and it just went in, and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”

Archbishop Carroll vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD PCL Quarterfinal Highlights by John KNebels

After Lansdale Catholic opened the game by scoring 12 straight points and led 19-5 early in the second quarter, Archbishop Carroll appeared dumbfounded. But trailing by 21-11, the Patriots scored the final 10 points of the second quarter to forge a 21-21 tie.

Both teams scored six in the third before Lansdale Catholic took a 33-27 lead in the fourth. Clutch three pointers by junior Olivia Nardi (six points) and sophomore Alexis Eberz tied the game at 33-33. After a backcourt turnover by Lansdale Catholic, Carroll called time and set up a final play.

Freshman Abby McFillin reflects on her game-winning buzzer beater - PSD Video by John Knebels

Carroll junior Olivia Nardi hit two huge threes in the second half - PSD Video by John Knebels

Ultimately, Wilson – the PCL’s Most Valuable Player – maintained a dribble long enough to wait for McFillin to break free for the dramatic ending.

“Sometimes we don’t realize now long 10 seconds are,” said Carroll coach Renie Shields. “No need to rush. Just take your time. Brooke Wilson was so patient. That’s a senior play there. And Abby is maturing as a player. There are little things around the basket that she does so well. I didn’t doubt it was going in.”

Carroll senior Brooke Wilson displayed her PCL MVP reputation in dramatic quarterfinal victory - PSD Video by John Knebels

Alexa Eberz helped Carroll remain composed in quarterfinal comeback win vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Video by John Knebels

For Wilson, who assisted on all of Carroll’s five baskets in the second half, the win taught a few lessons.

“There were a lot of learning opportunities from this game,” said Wilson. “We learned that we cannot come out slow and we have to be ready to play from the start. We also learned that sometimes our shots don’t all fall, so when that happens, we have to rally together and use each other to get higher percentage shots.”

Onto rival O’Hara, which defeated Carroll, 45-37, on Jan. 30.

“Us and O’Hara both know each other so well,” said Wilson. “So it’s gonna be about who comes ready to play and executes the best.”

Led by senior Molly Rullo’s 21 points and senior Carly Coleman’s eight, two-seed Cardinal O’Hara had no problem in its 58-23 win over seven-seed West Catholic. Immediately after the game, O’Hara’s thoughts moved to the semifinals.

“The O’Hara-Carroll rivalry goes back 50 years,” said O’Hara coach Chrissie Doogan. “You throw away all the stats and records and you go out and leave it on the floor. Playing in games like this is why you choose to go to either one of us. I expect a 32-minute battle where all the girls on the court give it all they have. Should be fun.”

Rullo agreed.

“You know it’s always going to be a tough game when you’re playing Carroll,” said Rullo. “It’s a fun environment to be in. It’s competitive, and that’s what the playoffs are supposed to be all about.”