Black (6-5) is scorching in July. It might be the sizzle from the Kelly Bolish Gymnasium but the team primarily consisting of Philadelphia University players is playing cohesive, effective basketball late in the season. Three-point specialist Rachel Day (Philadelphia University, 2018) had another positive night from deep, sinking three threes and scoring a team-high 13 points. Alynna Williams (Philadelphia, 2020) didn’t have her most productive game but added seven points. Black will face pink in the Quarterfinals and are arguably a favorite to pull off an upset in the first round.

Ciara Andrews isn’t looking forward to a professional career overseas just yet, as she paced the team with 24 points and connected on the game-winning shot to pull off the major upset. Entering the playoffs, she has a different, more aggressive mindset.

“In playoffs you definitely want to win,” Andrews said. “I think it’ll be me being more demonstrative, shooting when I need to. I’m definitely going to take it up a notch a little bit.”

White (6-5) didn’t have a letdown against Orange. Boasting a talented and versatile lineup, White had control of the game for the majority of the regular season finale. Gabbi Wright (Kutztown, 2020) and Michala Clay (Saint Joseph’s, 2019) had 10 points apiece, as White (fifth seed) has a daunting task Thursday in their matchup against fourth seed Purple and Chelsea Woods (Saint Joseph’s, 2018).

Purple (7-4) had a slump near the middle of the game but Shayna Rodriguez was straight lethal in the fourth quarter, as Purple went on a 18-3 run en route to an eight-point victory. Rodriguez scored 20 points and sank four triples. As the game progressed, her confidence grew.

“When the first couple [of shots] went in, I knew the others would go in,” Rodriguez said.

Chelsea Woods again eclipsed the 30-point mark, scoring 31 points and dominating, in spurts, on both ends of the floor. As the fourth seed, if they can get past White in the first round, Purple won’t face Gold until the Championship, who’d present more problems than Maroon.

Royal Blue (5-6) just fell apart in the fourth quarter, as Rodriguez and Woods bombarded the team with baskets. Amanda Fiovaranti (Saint Joseph’s, 2017) led the team with 12 points and was a beast down low, where she usually operates on offense. Courtney Brown (East Stroudsburg, 2017) had 11 points with three threes made. They are clamoring for an upset, taking on top seed Maroon in the first round of the playoffs.

Maroon (9-2) utilized a lockdown defense Tuesday to pick up one of the most important victories for any team to date. With the win over Gold, Maroon is now the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and primed to continue their late season surge. Colleen Walsh (University of the Sciences, 2018) was essential in the victory, scoring 12 points and knocking down three triples.

Gold (9-2) had an opportunity late but couldn’t sink the game-winning shot. There was a lacking elegance you usually see with Gold, who makes crisp passes and sets up players for easy looks. Despite turning the ball over more than usual, Alex Smith (Holy Cross, 2014) led the team with 13 points. Adaisha Franklyn (Saint Joseph’s, 2018) only had eight points but is a player to look out for come playoff time. 

Hunter Green’s loss to Maroon Thursday knocked them out of the playoff race but they finished their season with a trouncing of Kelly Green. Sarah Payonk (Scranton, 2017) led the team in scoring with 16 points and Hunter Green (4-7) can feel elated knowing that they’re one of the two teams in the league that will end their season with a win.

Kelly Green (0-11) played with only five players throughout the latter part of the season. Archbishop Ryan’s Brittany Wood (Delaware Valley, 2015) had a team-high 13 points. Per League Director David Kessler, she’s the head coach for Delaware Valley College so her experience in the summer could help the team improve during the regular season in the fall/winter.