(Photos by Donna Eckert & Mike Nance/ Video/ Rich Flanagan & John Knebels)

By John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – Six days later, they’re still not entirely certain how to describe what they experienced.

Then again, the last time Philadelphia Catholic League players were asked what it’s like to win a championship in double overtime was . . .

Umm . . . never.

That all changed Monday night.

In the historic Palestra revved up like a Taylor Swift concert, Archbishop Wood edged Archbishop Carroll, 54-52, in the first double overtime game in PCL championship history.

After four ties, four lead changes, and a maximum advantage of six points, it took every second of the 40-minute classic to determine undefeated top-seed Archbishop Wood – making its 18th appearance in the PCL final and 15th in the past 18 seasons – as champion for the fifth time in school history, third since 2016, and second since 2021.

But her final free toss provided significantly more importance, as it increased Wood’s lead to 53-49 with 18.6 seconds left and ultimately represented the decisive point of the epic contest.

“I’m very proud of my team for sticking it all the way out to the very end and giving it their all,” said Renninger, who will play at Fairleigh Dickinson University next year. “They had my back when I missed the free throws and gave us another chance at winning the game, and still put the ball in my hands.

“Coach Mike did a great job at keeping us focused throughout that whole game and trusting me to knock down some free throws. And also props to Carroll. They were one heck of a team, very well coached, and they did an amazing job. It could have gone either way.”

On Wednesday night, Greer re-watched the game start to finish. Several of her teammates confirmed they had done likewise.

Greer’s initial insight illustrated the essence of the PCL’s sixth all-time overtime affair and fourth since 2012.

“Even though I knew the outcome, I was on edge,” said Greer, who in the fall goaltended the Wood soccer team to its third consecutive PCL championship. “I thought Carroll came out strong, aggressive, and prepared, and really tested us. After watching the game again, there were so many moments where you realize the game could have gone either way, and I believe that’s what made the experience even more memorable. It’s honestly so surreal the feeling that a basketball game can give you, but it’s a feeling that I am happy to say I got to feel and a feeling I will never forget.” 

“I’ve re-watched the game a fair amount of times now and I was biting my nails every time I watched, even though I knew the outcome,” said Knouse, echoing the earlier commentary by Greer. “The entire game was back and forth and honestly, I didn’t know if we were going to pull it out. It seriously could’ve gone either way. Everyone knew it was going to be a good game since we nearly lost to them in the regular season (a 51-46 comeback win by host Wood on Jan. 20).

Despite Wilson’s stalwart 12 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, and first-team All-Catholic sophomore Alexis Eberz’s 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals, Knouse’s teammates emerged victorious.

“Ava kept us in the game,” said Knouse. “I’m really proud of her and all of my teammates. Everyone chipped in, and even in some aspects that don’t get marked down in the book. Lauren Greer is one of the toughest defenders I know and seriously held her own on Brooke. Alexa Windish had a clutch three and foul shots to keep us going, and Sophia Topakas had an enormous steal to get Lauren a layup in the OT. Everyone did their jobs and contributed to this win, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with another group of girls.”

During the postgame media conference, the Kutztown University-bound Alexa Windish thought she only had converted one basket. She was a tad mistaken.

Turns out that the second-team All-Catholic secured three buckets – including a three-pointer one minute into the fourth quarter that supplied Wood a 35-32 advantage, its first lead since an 8-7 advantage midway through the first quarter courtesy of a Renninger trey. Along with two baskets and two free throws – a game-tying duet that sent the game tied at 32-32 heading into the fourth, but far from final, stanza – Windish finished with nine points.

Referring back to Knouse’s acknowledgment of sophomore Sophia Topakas’ major donation, the game was tied at 43-43 when Topakas intercepted a Wilson pass between Carroll’s basket and center court. With Wilson backpedaling, Topakas dribbled the ball to the other end before dishing to Greer for a layup with 2:12 remaining in the first overtime.

“Always someone who hustles on both sides of the court, Lauren Greer was running down with me. I knew she would finish the layup because of the trust I have in her and the many times at practice where we’ve done very similar drills.”

After the tie-breaking basket, the Wood fans exploded while teammates jumped from the bench.

“The atmosphere of the Palestra is truly something spectacular,” said Tapakas. “Hearing a sold-out stadium of thousands of fans cheer for you is a wonderful feeling. It’s . . . truly extraordinary. You think you know what it’s like by hearing stories of people who have been there, but you never really get to understand how surreal it is until you fully experience it yourself.

“The feeling of hearing the buzzer go off and looking up at the scoreboard and being on the right side is a feeling like no other. As the days have passed since we won, I truly cannot wrap my head around it. I have never played in an environment like that before, and I’m so beyond happy I was able to.”

Freshman Makayla Finnegan now gets to share a PCL championship with her sister Delaney, who graduated last year after having won as a sophomore in 2021, though that game was played at Archbishop Carroll because the pandemic had left the Palestra unavailable.

“What I think really helped us pull away the win was the energy that the whole team brought,” said Makayla. “That and all of Ava’s foul shots to put us in the lead at the end.” 

“Although I would have loved the experience of winning at the Palestra, I was still so proud of the team my sophomore year, because it was still a PCL title no matter where it was won.”

Wood has already advanced past PIAA Class 5A District 12 foe Freire Charter and now will concentrate on capturing a fourth straight state crown.

Although the Vikings’ total focus has moved from the thrill of a PCL championship to another lofty goal, McDonald allowed himself a detailed reminiscence of seizing a historic achievement.

Then his thoughts turned to his obviously dejected adversary. Ecstatic to have won, McDonald understands bitter defeat.

“As the emotions of winning have calmed, I have spent more time thinking of our opponent than I ever thought I would,” said McDonald. “I really like and respect the Carroll coaches and the players who I have met in passing off the court as well. Knowing the feeling of losing at the Palestra all too well, I have empathy for them for what they may be going through, and I hope they all can respond in states.” 

McDonald completely comprehends what Eberz means when she says the game was “just frustrating, but a great experience,” and how she would “just do literally anything to get that layup back and make it this time,” referring to a potential game-winning basket near the end of regulation that somehow – almost surreally – didn’t find twine.

Or the sincerity in the words of Carroll coach Renie Shields.

“What a classic PCL championship game,” she said. “Playing at the Palestra, in front of a sold-out crowd, does not get any better. Unfortunately, one team had to lose – and it was us. Congratulations to the Archbishop Wood team.”

Classic basketball game with classy participants.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

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