It was evident in the final score, but Kelly Green, a team who has yet to win a game this season, was only down one point to Gold, a ruthless powerhouse, to end the first quarter. The 18-17 lead for Gold (5-1) just grew incrementally to a level that was unsustainable for Kelly Green to handle. Reliable guard Alex Smith (Holy Cross, 2014) once again was impressive, scoring a game-high 19 points and sunk three three-point shots. Jazmin Horne (Saint Joseph’s, 2017) had 16 at the starting small forward position.

Kelly Green (0-6) just looked overmatched after the second quarter began, which was expected. Archbishop Ryan’s Danielle Skedzielewski (Delaware Valley, 2019) was the only player to reach double digits in points with 12. The shot selection and accuracy was abysmal against the more athletic Gold.

Maroon had an opportunity at a game-winning or tying shot, but turned the ball over in the last possession to give White (3-3) their third victory on the season. A stalwart inside was Michala Clay, who joined the team Tuesday and has made an immediate and noticeable impact. Her two free throws to close out the game was clutch, but she was poised with ice water flowing through her veins. 

Maroon (4-2) took a bevy of three-point attempts and jumpers, but couldn’t get easy looks against the bigger White team. Laura Trisch (University of the Sciences) once again led the team in scoring with 18 points and Colleen Walsh (University of the Sciences, 2018) added 15 points, while sinking three triples.

This was the game of the year, without question. Purple (4-2) was up 17 heading into the fourth quarter, with Chelsea Woods (Saint Joseph’s, 2018) once again leading Purple. However, this was the contest that illustrates desire, karma and passion. Jaryn Garner (Saint Joseph’s, 2017) left at halftime to head for a vacation in California, literally, after scoring 13 points before the conclusion of the second quarter. With Garner, Purple would’ve slowed down the pace and the second half shenanigans by Red would have never happened. However, Woods went into shot-craze frenzy.

After putting up 43 points Tuesday, the most any player has scored in a game to date, Woods was fixated on taking every look Purple had in the second half. Long-range air balls, contested jumpers, wildly throwing up shots; it was the epitome of a train wreck for the once promising team. She might’ve taken over 50 shots in the game total, which played right into Red’s comeback.

Red didn’t show any semblance of winning this game through the first three quarters, but after a rotation shift, without a coach, the lineup suddenly started making their ascension. They tied it up, sent it to overtime and played improved defense to pull off the upset.

 At the forefront was Westchester senior guard Victoria Smick, she reeled in her team, made sound decisions on the court and was a consistent presence on the free throw line. Even on the bench, she illustrated fiery intensity when some, arguable, missed calls by the referees at the end sparked a little intensity.

“I think we have a passionate team; a group of very competitive girls and I think that’s what carried us to win that game,” Smick said. “It was a great win, I got a little heated at the end there but refs are refs and you got to move on.”

Smick led the team with 19 points, while Woods paced Purple with 26. Woods is an immensely talented player, but her shot selection might be a scary notion for Purple throughout the remainder of the season. Maroon (3-3) for 3.5 quarters wasn’t the more prolific team, but played team basketball and had ample amounts of passion en route to a thrilling victory.

Hunter Green (1-5) only had four girls show up, as Black (1-5) won its first game of the season without even having to play. Unfortunately there wasn’t a game, but Black has the positive feeling knowing that they weren’t the last team to notch a victory this season.

Royal Blue (5-1) has won five straight games and is one of the more technically sound teams in the league. They play up-tempo, seldom make mistakes and play fundamental basketball that’s exciting to watch. Katie Armstrong (Saint Joseph’s, 2020) is becoming one of the teams’ best players at just 18 years old and led the team with 14 points Thursday. Rachel Falkowski (East Stroudsburg, 2017) also had double-digit points with 10. Royal Blue is looking like a real threat to Gold in terms of the top team in the league by season’s end.

Pink (4-2) has hit a breaking point, dropping the last two games, albeit they’ve been against Gold and Royal Blue. Lauren Rothfeld (Salisbury, 2017) was the leading scorer once again with 21 points and Courtney Webster (LeMoyne College, 2018) had 10 points in the loss.

Orange (3-3) dispatched a talented Sky Blue team and had four girls reach double digits in scoring. As Sky Blue would mount a comeback a timely three pointer would dilute the excitement, with Orange holding the lead for most of the game. Morgan Goldenbaum (Ursinus, 2020) and Allison Chernow (Emory, 2020) both had 13 points and Chernow sank three triples in the win.

Sky Blue’s (4-2) loss wasn’t a product of anything uncontrollable. Purple’s issue actually would’ve been appropriate here, in giving Ciara Andrews (Saint Joseph’s, 2016) and Kristalyn Baisden (Saint Joseph’s, 2019) the ball on many possessions when the team is seeking points. Andrews had a game-high 21 points and Baisden had seven, but they’re two of the only girls on the team that can create, especially Andrews. She’s the catalyst for the team and her teams’ success is heavily factored on her performance. Her 21 points could’ve been 32 with more touches to complement her shooting prowess.