PHILADELPHIA – That’s right...
For the 9th year in a row, the Archbishop Wood Lady Vikings are taking a trip back to the Palestra after defeating Archbishop Carroll 52-37 in the PCL semifinals last night at Philadelphia University.
Wood’s game plan was simple, play sharp defense and knock down open shots. Another key factor in their success was relying on their veteran leaders who have grown accustomed to the added pressure often imposed by the PCL playoff race.
Wood senior and Chestnut Hill College commit Cassie Sebold led the Vikings on the floor with 16 points. Senior counter-part and University of Sciences commit, Shannon May, propelled Wood in the first quarter, scoring 7 of the Vikings 9 points.
PCL Semi: Wood vs. Carroll Highlight Video - Zamani Feelings
“I think we just grinded out the game. We have a lot of kids who have been in this experience before,” said Wood head coach Mike McDonald. “It was a close game going back and forth but we were composed enough to grind it out and eventually were able to break into some layups that blew the lead open. It was just a grind, they {Carroll} were very well-coached. I’m proud of our kids for the way they played.”
Although Wood came away with another trip to the Palestra, Carroll held their own throughout the majority of the game. At the end of the first quarter Carroll and Wood were all tied up at 9 points a-piece. At the end of the third, Wood led by only five points, 35-30.
Carroll's Bella Sorrentino defends Wood's Cassie Sebold - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings
Erin Sweeney hit a crucial basket for the Patriots to cut Wood’s lead 30-27 with two minutes remaining in the third. Bella Sorrentino followed up with a beautiful 3-point shot, erupting Carroll’s bench, making the score 31-30.
However, Sebold answered for the Vikings driving to the basket for a layup, then stealing the ball at the other end of the floor only to hit another 2-pointer to end the third quarter.
Carroll amped up on defense in the 4th to try and tighten the gap. Head coach Renie Shields put in a secret weapon, senior Sam Swart, who was all over the ball to try and force a steal, but it was not enough to stop the Vikings.
Archbishop Wood’s Shannon May added one last bucket with 30 seconds remaining to seal her team's bid to the PCL final.
Katie May talks about Wood's game plan coming into the semifinal
Cassie Sebold discusses her team's upcoming match-up vs. O'Hara
This year, Wood will face a loaded O’Hara team instead of Neumann-Goretti, who they played in previous years.
“It’s something different. It’ll be another grind, another good game, another team that has five shooters on the floor just like Carroll. So we are going to have to play very well defensively and play our game,” said McDonald.
“I’m really excited, I think I get more excited every year to be back there,” said junior Northeastern University recruit, Katie May. “O’Hara is a really good team. We are going to have to play our best and knock down our shots.”
Tip-off for the PCL final is scheduled for 6:30PM. Archbishop Wood boys vs. Neumann-Goretti will follow.
Archbishop Carroll Game Stats: 9 11 10 7 - 37
B. Sorrentino 9, T. Kearney 8, M. Masciantonio 7, E. Sweeney 6, M. Pina 5 and W. Bess 2
Archbishop Wood Game Stats: 9 14 12 17 - 52
C. Sebold 16, K. May 12, S. May 11, M. Neher 7, and B. Arcidiacono 6
