Cardinal O'Hara Girls' Basketball Heading to PCL Semifinals
SPRINGFIELD - The Cardinal O’Hara girls’ basketball team took off fast and furiously against the Lansdale Catholic girls’ basketball team in the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs on Thursday. In a matter of seconds, O’Hara dropped two three-pointers to open the game, which was the beginning of a very big lead for the Lions, one that would not be taken away from them.
O’Hara scored the first 16 points of the game until the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders were able to finally put some points on the board in the quarterfinal game where the Lions took the victory 70-33.
At the end of the first period, the Lions’ 27-11 lead became tough for the Crusaders to fight back.
“I love these girls. They work so hard and I just love these girls, that’s all I have to say,” said O’Hara head coach Linus McGinty.
Mackenzie Gardler led O’Hara with 23 points and 10 of them were all in the opening quarter of the game. Hannah Nihill totaled 11 points on Thursday and seven of those points came in the first period of the night. Mary Sheehan dropped five of her fifteen total points in the first period.
“Everyone is just so encouraging and it just really helps you boost your confidence level up. To be a leader is just really important on this team especially since I’m one of the oldest. Everyone has been so supportive and has helped me do the best I can,” said Nihill.
The three-pointers kept coming for O’Hara as they totaled 10 in the whole game, four of them in the first quarter. The Lions made 16 two-point shots and went 8-for-13 in foul shots.
At the end of the first half, O’Hara led Lansdale Catholic 43-23.
O'Hara's defensive play leads to a steal and a score -video by Marissa Fuller
Cardinal O'Hara vs. Lansdale Catholic -photos by Marissa Fuller
Kim Talley led Lansdale Catholic with 13 points and Lauren Crim followed with seven. Abby Ward contributed five. The Crusaders dropped 15 two-point baskets and went 3-for-6 at the foul line but they were just unable to make it back on top.
“Winning by so much tonight has been encouraging for Tuesday, definitely. If we play [Archbishop] Wood Tuesday, just because we beat them once, we still have to come in like it’s a new game and like playoffs is a new season,” said Maura Hendrixson. “We all work together so well.”
The loss ended the Crusaders season but it wasn’t for a lack of hard work and determination.
Cardinal O’Hara (2 seed) will indeed face Archbishop Wood(3 seed) in the semifinals of the Philadelphia Catholic League on Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Philadelphia University.
In January, the teams met at Archbishop Wood and O’Hara won by only two points.
“This whole entire process has just been so much fun. Our team, we’re all so close and each season I’ve had so far at Cardinal O’Hara has been memorable and it’s something I’ll never forget,” said Nihill.