Philadelphia Catholic League Quarterfinal Round-Up 

PHILADELPHIA - The Catholic League girls’ basketball version of the Final Four has arrived. Getting there required navigating windy curves that, truth be told, always seemed headed for the accurately predicted destination.

   On February 23 at Philadelphia University, top-seed Archbishop Wood will meet fourth-seed Archbishop Carroll at 8 PM. This will follow a 6:30 tip-off between second-seed Neumann-Goretti and third-seed Cardinal O’Hara.

   “Ashley (Jones) and Chyna (Nixon) have been amazing with leading the team to this point, so I know they are ready,” said Neumann-Goretti coach Andrea Peterson. “Both want a PCL title, and I know for Chyna she wants to get back to the Palestra one more time and go out with a win.

 In the Lions’ 62-36 quarterfinal triumph over Lansdale Catholic, a balanced scoring attack and a stifling defense proved too much for the Crusaders. 

   “To be at our best, we need all five starters playing well on offense and then doing everything they can on defense,” said senior Mary Sheehan, a first team All-Catholic. “At this point of the season, every single play means a lot.”

   The Lions led by only 10-9 after one quarter, but a 24-11 blitzkrieg in the second quarter altered the dynamics. O’Hara played soundly in the third quarter as well, outscoring the Crusaders by 17-8. Late in the fourth quarter, the Lions’ comfortable lead allowed coach Linus McGinty to clear the bench. 

Sheehan said the Lions’ slow start was not evidence of taking the Crusaders lightly.

   “We could have played better, but they’re a good team,” said Sheehan. “We said before the game that we have to treat them like champions. This is do-or-die time. You can’t overlook anybody.”

   Lansdale Catholic senior point guard Laura Vetter was disappointed in the outcome, but she knew from the opening jump that the Crusaders would have to play a near-perfect game.

   “They’re a championship-level team,” said Vetter. “They’re very strong in all phases. I don’t think we let down. We were just beat by a better team.”

   Juniors Brady Wessel (11 points) and Lauren Crim (9 points) helped keep the score respectable. Lansdale Catholic’s season will continue in the PIAA District 12 playoffs, provided Bonner-Prendergast does not win the league title.

   O’Hara, meanwhile, has a meeting with a loaded Neumann-Goretti squad.

   “We didn’t play well at all when we faced them earlier this year,” said Sheehan, referring to a 51-37 loss on January 11. “I think we are a better team now. Hopefully, we play our best and have a much different result.”

  Wood was the only league team to defeat Neumann-Goretti this season. In their quarterfinal, the Vikings ran past West Catholic, 70-45. Despite beating an overmatched opponent, the Vikings enjoyed a boost of confidence. 

Wood coach Mike McDonald was encouraged to watch four players score in double digits. He realizes that Archbishop Carroll, which Wood defeated by 42-33 during the regular season, possesses more talent and a better all-around game than West Catholic.

   “I think they are a lot like us,” said McDonald. “Five kids who run offense and can shoot when the opportunity presents itself. We struggled to score the last time we played them with Karly Brown out of the lineup, so hopefully she gives us a boost. They are well coached and will be prepared for a good game.”

   Wood standout Cassie Sebold agrees.

   “I think our whole team is excited to play them,” said Sebold. “They're a well-coached team who can score points. When we played them in the regular season we didn't play our best, so I think if we play how we have been playing lately, we will be fine.”

(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)

RADNOR, PA – The Archbishop Ryan Ragdolls fell to Archbishop Carroll 56-45 in their PCL quarterfinal match-up on Thursday, February 16.

The Lady Patriots finished regular season play ranked 4th with a 9-3 PCL record, while the Ragdolls finished in 5th place with an 8-4 PCL record. Both teams earned a first round bye, sending them straight to the quarterfinals.

Ryan struggled to get the ball in the basket and ended the game with an  overall shooting percentage of 29% from the field and 69% from the foul line. Sophomore, Taliyah Rahman, led the Ragdolls on the floor with 13 points, followed by junior Annie Cashman, who totaled 12 points.

Carroll dominated in the paint during the first quarter and extended their lead 19-7, which got their home crowd riled up. Although the Ragdolls were unable to pull out the win, Cashman explained that her team has a bright future ahead.

Ryan came back and closed the gap, 40-32, after 3 quarters but they were unable to complete the comeback in the 4th. Senior, Bella Sorrentino, led Carroll’s offensive attack tallying 14 points and 7 rebounds. Molly Masciantonio followed Sorrentino on the floor with 9 points and 7 rebounds.

“Ryan is a great team,” said Sorrentino. “We knew we had to work hard to beat them. We had to do what we practiced and play our game. We played as a team, all 14 of us. We practice too hard to do anything less. Every game counts now, so we had to play every game like it's out last, that’s what we thought entering the Ryan game. We had a big lead but Ryan showed a lot of heart and fought back. It took a team effort to win the game.”

Archbishop Carroll will move on to play No. 1 seed Archbishop Wood this tomorrow night at 8PM at Philadelphia University.

   -- Jackie Schaeffer, Archbishop Ryan Jr. Reporter