(PHOTOS BY DONNA ECKERT FOR PSD)
BY JOHN KNEBELS
HERSHEY – Her final exit from a high school basketball game not even 20 minutes old, Emily Knouse pushed through intensifying emotions and fielded questions about an anomaly.
For the first time in five years, an awe-inspiring state-record string of 24 consecutive wins severed, Archbishop Wood had just dropped a 45-37 decision to South Fayette in the PIAA Class 5A state championship March 29 at the Giant Center.
Combined with having lost in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals a month earlier, the somber mood inside and outside the Vikings’ dressing room served as a bleak reminder that for mega-giant scholastic programs like Archbishop Wood, anything less than winning a championship labels the season a disappointment.
Being the team’s only senior, a 1,133-point scorer, and a new career at St. Joseph’s University commencing next fall, Knouse politely acquiesced to immediate interview requests despite the disheartening atmosphere.
(L-R) Wood's Sophia Topakas, Emily Knouse, and Makenna Campbell accept PIAA Class 5A runner-up trophy - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert
“I told the girls to remember this feeling, remember the sting, and use it as motivation,” said Knouse. “Without failure, there’s no moving forward.
“We’ve been able to win so many times in previous years. It stinks to not come out on top like last year, but it’s a young team, and I think it’ll be great motivation for the girls next season.”
The loss to South Fayette didn’t fall into the “might have won had we just done this” category. The result was no fluke.
Other than committing fewer turnovers (10 to 21) and leading in steals (13-5), the Vikings were outplayed in every category. South Fayette finished most of their plays in often-uncontested transition, making 20 of their 36 shots while Wood connected on only 16 of 53. The Lions out-rebounded Wood by 30-22, dealt three times as many assists (12-4), and, aided by a stunning 13-2 third quarter, built a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
Of Wood’s 37 points – 20 of which occurred after a turnover – sophomore Ryan Carter scored 23 (on 11 of 26 shooting) and Knouse tallied 10 (3-for-11 from field, including 2 of 5 from three-point land).
In other words, South Fayette switched the narrative on the Archbishop Wood teams that had captured the past four PIAA titles – including a 61-54 decision over South Fayette in 2023 – by a composite 39 points.
And so, the challenge to Archbishop Wood became understanding how to lose. Although the Vikings have endured their hardships in the PCL, the PIAA state tourney has been their own personal playground, with nine crowns.
“My freshman year, we fell short in the PCL, but that gave us motivation, and we came back and won the state championship,” said Knouse. “Even though I wasn’t playing that much, it was a great experience to be a part of that.
“We took that into next year. We fell short in the PCL championship and that really hurt, but we used that as motivation to win the state championship. And last year (PCL championship and a fourth straight state title) was just a gift. Just kind of won everything. I give so much of the credit to these girls and I give so much of my thanks to this team and this program and coach Mike (McDonald).”
A little more than a week later and aided by time for reflection, Knouse reassessed what had occurred.
Class! Really hurting after losing the last high school basketball game of her great career, Emily Knouse provides some much-needed perspective - PSD Video by John Knebels
Archbishop Wood head coach Mike McDonald talks about the challenges of dealing with defeat - PSD Video by John Knebels
“I am definitely able to see the big picture now of how much we accomplished even though we didn’t win gold,” she said. “The memories of after-practice dinners or pasta parties will always be my favorite.
“I wouldn’t say this year was tarnished by not winning. It would’ve been the cherry on top to go out with gold, but our failures don’t define us. All of our previous accomplishments and what we mean to each other will never be tarnished.”
Although the Vikings should retain significant talent heading into next winter, the loss of Knouse the player – 1,133 points, 570 rebounds, 273 assists, school-record 247 three-pointers made, 47 blocks – and Knouse the leader will be almost possible to fully replace.
“Emily is a type of teammate that everyone wants on their team and is lucky to have,” said Wood junior Sophia Topakas, who last year joined 2024 graduate and current St. Joseph’s University freshman hoopster Lauren Greer as the only female players to ever win PCL titles in three different sports during the same academic year. “She led with the best of her abilities and made many last impressions on me and the rest of the team.
“Whether it be her teaching us plays, telling us what reads to make, or even just giving advice on how to be better basketball players, she really focuses on helping each individual player. When you have an ‘off’ or bad day, she’d always be there to boost your confidence and have your back. Playing with her, I always wanted to get her the ball because I knew how great of a shooter she was. And when she wasn’t draining threes, she was focused on assisting others and helping the team as a whole. I certainly won’t forget all she’s taught me and all we’ve been through together. I will, for sure, miss her.”
Talented junior Colleen Besachio lost most of her sophomore and junior seasons to leg injuries. A devastating blow to the Wood program, one could easily surmise that a healthy Besachio might have led to PCL and PIAA state titles.
PIAA 5A Championship Gallery - PSD Photos by Donna Eckert
“Playing with Emily is very uplifting,” said Besachio. “She knows how to lead and stay positive at the same time. She is so supportive of everybody and has been one of my biggest supporters with my injuries. Even when I’m not playing, she makes sure to make me feel like I have an impact on the team and feel included.”
Emily Knouse: Not a PCL or state champion in 2024-25.
Emily Knouse: Champion in every other category.
(Contact John Knebels at gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)