BY JOHN KNEBELS

(VIDEO/ JOHN KNEBELS: PHOTOS BY MIKE SZCZEPKOWSKI, RILEY SCHWARZ & MARK ZIMMARO)

PHILADELPHIA – With about one-third of the regular season remaining, each of the Philadelphia Catholic League’s 12 coaches was asked to assess a highlight or two so far. As we go to press, a few have not responded.

Archbishop Carroll appears to be a lock to finish undefeated in the regular season for the first time in four years. At 8-0, the Patriots have amassed key victories over defending champion Neumann-Goretti (47-40), Cardinal O’Hara (51-28), and Archbishop Wood (44-38). Carroll has outscored its foes by an average of 22 points per game.

The starting unit of seniors Alexis Eberz and Bridget Grant, juniors Cate Schumacher and Abbie McFillin, and sophomore Kayla Eberz—arguably the league’s MVP so far—has given opponents all kinds of fits ever since the season began with a brutal onslaught of rugged competition.

“I think just coming to practice every day with a positive mindset and giving 100% every time we step on the court and scouting and knowing the personnel for the team that we are playing against,” said Alexis Eberz. “We have a really good mix of seniors and underclassmen on our team. Seeing everyone develop in practice and games is really cool. Watching the younger people grow as an upperclassman is a blessing.”

Carroll’s top five starters continue to set the tone on both ends of the floor.

“Watching the team grow offensively and defensively has been the best part,” said Carroll coach Renie Shields. “We’ve had a number of assists increasing as the season moves on.”

At 7-1, defending champion Neumann-Goretti’s only blemish was a 47-40 loss at Archbishop Carroll in a battle between last year’s two finalists. The Saints got past Archbishop Wood, 36-33, Monday night. A Tuesday meeting with visiting Cardinal O’Hara will determine the two and three seed when the playoffs arrive.

The highlight of Cardinal O’Hara’s 7-1 start was a 46-37 win over Archbishop Wood. The Lions could finish as high as second place if they can defeat Neumann-Goretti on Feb. 3.

Senior Meg Rullo averages 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while junior Leah Hudak is next on the team in scoring at nine points per game.

“We had a great team win over a Rutgers Prep earlier this month, but I would say the highlight for me so far this year is seeing Meg Rullo and (junior) Bre Davis back on the court after both missed last year due to ACL injuries,” said O’Hara coach Chrissie Doogan. “It takes a lot to recover from the injury both physically and mentally, and I am so proud of both of them for rehabbing and playing so well this year. Meg is leading our team in points, rebounds, and assists so far this year. Bre is probably the best sixth man in the league.”

A young, defense-oriented Archbishop Wood squad nearly pulled off an upset Friday night before falling to undefeated Archbishop Carroll, 44-38. At 5-3, the Vikings are likely staring at a fourth-place finish come playoff time.

All of Wood’s losses have come at the hands of talent-laden opponents, including national power Mount Zion, a two-point loss to defending Inter-Ac champion Notre Dame Academy while missing three players, Cardinal O’Hara after leading into the fourth quarter, and the aforementioned back-and-forth games versus Carroll and Neumann-Goretti.

Defensively, the Vikings held Archbishop Ryan to 25 points (eight in the second half), Lansdale Catholic to 22 points (11 in each half), and Carroll to a PCL season-low 44.

Wood has maintained balanced scoring behind sophomore Zoey Whalen (10.4 points), sophomore Abbie Kelly (10), and junior Makayla Finnegan (9.2). Junior Sophia McDonald leads the team in assists, fewest turnovers, and steals. Senior standout Colleen Besachio has returned from last year’s injuries and has visibly displayed more confidence. Sophomores Casey Thompson and Addison Payne have led the team in rebounding, while senior Emma Yogis continues to stretch the floor as Wood’s top three-point shooter.

“If we can find the confidence to take and make the right shots,” said coach Mike McDonald, “we feel we can win on any given night in the league as our defense keeps us in it.”

All of Archbishop Ryan’s four PCL wins have been by double digits. All of their losses have come against the league’s perennial top four programs. Their most impressive showing came in Saturday’s 45-41 setback versus Cardinal O’Hara.

“We are certainly trending in the right direction,” said Ragdolls first-year coach Jimmy Dillon. “Commitment, dedication, and accountability have been three pillars that have helped the chemistry of a team featuring 11 new players along with six returning rotational players. Our three goals this season were to create a buzz about the team, change the culture of the program, and to win. We are certainly happy with the season so far, but we all realize there is a lot more work still to be done.”

With an exciting 61-48 win at West Catholic on Saturday – its fourth straight victory after starting the season with four defeats – Bonner-Prendergast is on the doorstep of clinching its first playoff berth since 2018-19.

“The highlight of our season has been watching our team grow together – building trust and strong relationships on the court,” said first-year Bonner-Prendergast coach Sarah Monaghan. “With three of our five starters new to the school, we have been fortunate to welcome such outstanding student-athletes into our program.

“Competing against a tougher non-league schedule, (sophomores) Kayla Epps and Skylar Rothley have been the driving forces behind our success, with Kayla averaging 17 points per game and Skylar providing consistency and stability throughout the season. (Sophomore) Alaya Dorsey is the type of player every coach hopes to have – someone who consistently excels at doing the little things right. (Juniors) Allie Polinski and Gionna Pagan have brought valuable experience and strong game management to the team.”

Against West Catholic, Rothley (18 points, 12 rebounds), Epps (19 points, five rebounds, five steals), Polinski (14 points, eight rebounds), sophomore London Tyler (nine rebounds), and Dorsey (eight points, with key free throws toward the end to seal the outcome) led the way.

“This was truly a team win for us,” said Monaghan, a 2014 Prendergast grad and former 11-year assistant coach to Tom Stewart. “Every player who stepped on the court contributed in a meaningful way. Kayla and Skylar have been steady leaders for us all season, but we are at our best when everyone is involved offensively. As a group with playoff aspirations, we understood the challenge of facing a tough, well-coached West Catholic team on their home court. I am extremely proud of this group and grateful for the opportunity to coach these girls in a program that means so much to me.”