“Watching teams make runs in the PIAA that you beat easily is hard to swallow,” said Academy of Notre Dame coach Terry Mancini. “I know at Notre Dame, we would welcome an invite to the PIAA.” 

Even though his program has benefitted from no playoffs during its three-year championship run, Penn Charter coach Joe Maguire agrees.

“There are times that it is tough to have teams that are still playing, but there's also times that feels like it's a long time for them to still be playing, too,” said Maguire. “I would love if we had Inter-Ac playoffs.”  

Germantown Academy coach Lauren Power is also open to a new format.

“Of course we would love to still be playing and compete against the best in the state,” said Power. “But it’s not about the length of the season as much as it’s about the quality of the student-athlete experience. If the league considers adopting a playoff, it enhances the experience for all student-athletes. There is nothing like playoff atmosphere.”

“I enjoy the PAISAA tournament, but definitely sometimes wish we could play different teams. It’s pretty much the Inter-Ac and the Friends League. It’s become really hard for Inter-Ac schools on the boys’ and girls’ side to win states because some schools recruit from all over the country. So having an Inter-Ac playoff would give us more of a chance to play in a big game.”

In honor of the most exciting Inter-Ac regular season since Notre Dame, Germantown Academy, and Shipley School forged a three-way championship deadlock back in 1999 – one of only three three-way ties in Inter-Ac history – one final review of Inter-Ac girls’ basketball seems warranted.

After a previous 23-year drought, Penn Charter raised its championship streak to three. The first two – in 2022 and 2023 – were seized outright with a combined record of 23-1. In the past five seasons, the Quakers have amassed a sterling 50-6 league mark.

Led by junior Kaylinn Bethea (17.3 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.7 steals) and freshman Ryan Carter (17.1, 5.7, 3.7, 3.1), Penn Charter came within one point of capturing a third straight outright crown. But a 63-62 loss to Germantown Academy in the penultimate season finale got in the way. The Quakers ultimately defeated the champions of the Philadelphia Catholic League (Archbishop Wood), Public League (Audenreid Charter), and Inter-Ac.

“I said to the team that if they look at the banners in our gym, do they know which years were outright champions and which were co-champions?” said Penn Charter coach Joe Maguire. “These are the rules that were set up for us and by these rules we’re champions, so it’s a great accomplishment.”

Penn Charter’s lone senior, Ashlie Johnson, served as a consistently dependable player and a respected leader for the underclassmen.

“This was a rebuild year and we had to prove ourselves again as we lost major pieces to our puzzle,” said Johnson. “But I do think we handled the pressure well and still were a threat the entire season.”

Johnson was named second-team, all-league.

“This was statement year for me,” said Johnson. “I had to showcase all that I am capable of and make known that I am a significant role player, and I think I executed that.”

Bethea recognized the Quakers’ steady improvement. 

“This season was a progressive year and a laughable three-way tie for the ‘chip,” said Bethea. “As a captain for my first year, I was able to learn how to deal with adversity and bringing different personalities together. It was a tough start in the beginning of the season, but as we kept playing, we were able to create a better bond on the court.”

“Well, we looked at it like this,” said first-year Notre Dame coach Terry Mancini. “Penn Charter had the opportunity to win it outright at home and lost to GA . . . GA had the opportunity to win the league outright and lost to us by 21 . . . so of the three, we actually earned it by beating GA to make it happen. It’s been a fun ride for us.”

Notre Dame senior Lizzie Halligan joined freshman teammate Riley Davis as a first-team, all-league choice, with freshman Grace Nasr being named second-team.
“This season was a step in the right direction for our program,” said Halligan. “We made major strides to put our name on the map and prove we are one of the best programs in the area. 

Buoyed by three all-league selections (senior Izzy Casey, Most Valuable Player; senior Jess Aponik, first team; and junior Jess Kolecki, second team), Germantown Academy let an outright title slip from its grasp. After stunning Penn Charter on its own court, 63-62, the Patriots needed to defeat Notre Dame in the regular-season finale three days later, but it didn’t happen.

To her credit, Germantown Academy first-year coach and previous Notre Dame mentor Lauren Power offered no excuses when asked if her team might have been emotionally and physically wiped out after the must-win success at Penn Charter 72 hours earlier.

Then she assessed GA’s first title since 2020.

In particular, Germantown Academy senior Izzy Casey will recall her senior season as the epitome of success.

Along with helping guide the Patriots to a share of the Inter-Ac title, Casey scored her 1,000th career point in a 54-43 win over Hill School. A few weeks later, she garnered the Inter-Academic League’s Most Valuable Player award.

“It’s been a privilege to be coached by two incredible coaches,” said Casey, referring to legendary previous coach Sherri Retif, who retired last year. “I was kind of nervous when Coach Retif retired, but it was such a smooth transition with Coach Power. Honestly, they are pretty similar coaches. I’ve learned so much from both of them.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better senior year with GA basketball. I thought the overall adjustment to a new coach went super smooth and we all bought into her system right away. I thought the year was filled with some hard-fought wins that helped lead us to a championship. Definitely a season none of us will forget.”

Power waxed effusive when describing Casey as “one of the most special kids I have ever coached.”

Under coach Chuck Simmons, Episcopal Academy placed fourth at 6-6. Senior co-captain Natalie Magnotta (second-team all-league) led in scoring with 11.7 points per game, including a 25-point burst in a win over Agnes Irwin. Freshman Kate Boerner (7.8 ppg) and senior co-captain Bella Notaro (7.0 ppg) were the team's next leading scorers.

Juniors Brynn Kehl and Ali Dennis added contributions as the team's top two rebounders. EA had a big non-league win in the Scholastic Play-Play event over Public School runner-up Imhotep Charter.

“We definitely grew and learned throughout the season because we were able to work through ups and downs,” said Notaro. “The team bonded each day and became closer through our hard work at practices and a few tough games and a few solid ones. It was a great, tight-knit group of girls to play with for my senior year.” 

Arguably the league’s most improved team, Agnes Irwin finished in fifth place at 4-8 and earned its second postseason Commonwealth Cup. Highlights included first-team, all-league freshman Simone Harvey (15-point average in Inter-Ac) scoring a career-high 36 points against Springside-Chestnut Hill, eighth-grader Milan Harvey thieving a career-best 12 steals against Baldwin, and junior GG Seibert netting 21 points against Baldwin.

With second-team, all-league senior Zahkiyyah Frazier averaging 14.3 points and 13.8 rebounds, Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy finished 1-11.

“With a younger team and new elements, cultivating the chemistry we want for the program has been a major focus,” said SCH coach Bart Jeannoute. “We saw marked improvement from the start of the season. Some of our ninth graders earned varsity experience and supported the team in crucial stretches.”

Baldwin School salvaged the season with a win over Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy.