SPRINGFIELD, PA – An impressive Cardinal O’Hara team conquered John W. Hallahan High School in quick fashion, 67-19, en route to their third PCL win. The Lions remain undefeated in PCL play, while Hallahan continues to search for their first league victory.
Cardinal O’Hara’s offense got out to a hot start in the first quarter thanks to four three pointers from Hannah Nihill, Molly Paolino, Mackenzie Gardler, and Maura Hendrixson. That, accompanied by an extremely stingy defense got the Lions out to a 26-5 lead after the first quarter.
Things would only get more lopsided as O’Hara would manage to shutout Hallahan for the entire second quarter, finishing the period with a 40-5 lead.
Cardinal O'Hara girls basketball celebrates alongside Mary Sheehan after she scored her 1,000th point - PSD Photo by James Williamson
Although play would continue in the second half, it was more or less just a formality, as Cardinal O’Hara would only continue to pad their lead. When everything was said and done, John W. Hallahan was looking at the wrong end of a 67-19 defeat.
Despite the blowout win, the real story of the game came with 2:51 left in the first quarter. As Cardinal O’Hara took possession, Mary Sheehan charged down the left side of the court.
As Sheehan tried to find her spot, her teammate Maura Hendrixson called out for her and sent the ball her way. Sheehan than looked, saw she had an open shot, and sank what would be her 1,000th point as a Cardinal O’Hara Lion.
The crowd then gave a roar worthy of a monumentous Lions achievement.
Mary Sheehan, who lead all scorers with 18 points, 14 of which coming in the first quarter, was ecstatic about her accomplishment and honored to have her name alongside many all time Cardinal O’Hara greats.
Sheehan’s coach, Linus McGinty, could not sing her praise enough post game.
“Mary Sheehan is a tremendous worker. She’s a four-year starter, she was all state last year, she’s going to St. Joe’s, and she’s top five in her class. On the days we don’t practice, she goes to the healthplex and plays really hard.”
Cardinal O'Hara's Mary Sheehan talks about scoring her 1,000th point and what lies ahead for the Lady Lions
Sheehan was thankful of all her friends, family, coaches and teammates for her accomplishment, but despite her individual milestone, she has her eyes set on even bigger goals.
“We’ve got some big games coming up and we’ve got a catholic league and state championship to win, so that’s the goal.”
Tonight: Cardinal O’Hara will face Bishop McDevitt at 7PM tonight at home hoping to stay undefeated in PCL competition while Hallahan will travel to Archbishop Carroll at 7PM in search of their first PCL victory.
