One step closer.
The short, yet tortuously long, journey to winning a PIAA title is now only three wins away from a Catholic League celebration.
Which team can still earn state-wide glory?
Lots.
Heading into the second round of the tournament, 10 teams from the Catholic League were scheduled to tip off at various locations throughout Pennsylvania. Seven played last night; three others were re-rescheduled because of weather issues and take place tonight.
So far? Seven for seven.
“It feels good to still be playing,” said Archbishop Ryan junior reserve Ant Woodards. “Most schools have been done for a month. We still have some work to do. At this point of the season, everyone is hyped up and locked in.”
Woodards’ Raiders advanced to the quarterfinals with a 71-66 victory over Central Dauphin East. Senior Izaiah Brockington scored 27 points – his fourth straight game with 22 or more – and senior Matiss Kulackovskis added 22.
Ryan senior, Matiss Kulackovskis scored 22 points in the Raiders victory vs. Central Dauphin East - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings
This is Ryan’s first-ever PIAA soiree.
“We are proud and hoping to keep the momentum going,” said junior guard Devin Vargus. “Just seeing our school and coaches so proud of us has been great. This is something that has never been done, so it has all been very exciting.”
As Ryan took care of the Class 6A competition, CL champ Archbishop Wood (Class 5A) had no problem with Mechanicsburg, 80-56, while Class 5A Archbishop Carroll rolled to a 77-41 success against Palmyra.
The Catholic League girls also continued to excel.
Class 3A Neumann-Goretti defeated New Hope-Solebury, 59-36; Class 5A Archbishop Wood barely got past Bishop Shanahan, 28-25; and Class 5A Archbishop Carroll needed late-game heroics to defeat Harrisburg, 48-45.
In Carroll’s victory, senior Bella Sorrentino turned a one-point deficit into a three-point win by making four straight free throws in the closing seconds. Also a soccer standout who will play that sport at Temple University next fall, Sorrentino admitted she was anxious at the line given the do-or-die circumstances.
“I was a bit nervous since the crowd was really loud, but I tried my hardest to concentrate,” said Sorrentino. “We have been getting better over the course of the season, and I feel like our team is peaking right now.
Archbishop Carroll senior, Bella Sorrentino - PSD photo by Zamani Feelings
“We lost in the first round last year, so that gave us motivation to came back this year and try to win the state title. Our coaches have been amazing, and every game we are prepared with a great game plan.”
Archbishop Wood experienced a similar plot. In a defensive chess match versus underdog Bishop Shanahan, the game was tied at 23-23 when junior Katie May converted a three-point play with 22 seconds remaining to give the Vikings a 26-23 lead.
With the lead trimmed to 26-25 and eight seconds remaining, Wood senior Cassie Sebold scored two of her team-best 10 points from the free-throw line. With four seconds left, Wood senior Shannon May clinched the win with a steal.
“Recently, all of our games have been very close,” said Sebold. “But we've been able to come together as a team and pull out the wins. At no point in any of the games have I been nervous or scared we're gonna lose.
Archbishop Wood senior, Cassie Sebold - PSD photo by Zamani Feelings
“We've been coming out a little slow in the first half recently, and even though we're more of a fourth-quarter team, I think we have to be ready for any team we play. The good thing is we have a solid five starters with great subs coming off the bench who know how to close out games and get the job done.”
Cardinal O'Hara junior, Kenzie Gardler - PSD photo by Zamani Feelings
In Cardinal O’Hara’s victory, the trio of senior Hannah Nihill (18 points), senior Mary Sheehan (14), and junior Maura Hendrixson (13) spearheaded the offense. A 13-2 blitz in the fourth quarter eliminated any potential drama.
“Tonight went very well,” said junior Kenzie Gardler, who netted seven points. “We played as a team –sharing the ball, making the next pass and looking for the person making the shots.”
Tonight, Neumann-Goretti’s boys take on Holy Redeemer 6:30 at Liberty High School. Conwell-Egan’s boys meet Greater Nanticoke, 6:30 at Parkland High School. West Catholic’s girls face Sayre 5:00 at Hazelton High School.
Saturday’s quarterfinals are scheduled as follows:
Girls
6A Cardinal O’Hara (24-3) vs. North Penn (25-4), 2:30, at Spring-Ford H.S.
5A Archbishop Wood (21-7) vs. Wyoming Valley West (22-4), 3:00, at Freedom H.S.
5A Archbishop Carroll (20-5) vs. Trinity (24-3), 4:00, at Chambersburg H.S.
3A Neumann-Goretti (21-5) TBD
Boys
6A Archbishop Ryan (22-5) vs. Hempfield (21-9), 1:00, at Geigle Complex in Reading
5A Archbishop Carroll (20-8) vs. Northeastern (23-1), 2:30, at Garden Spot H.S.
5A Archbishop Wood (25-3) TBD
***Neumann-Goretti’s 21-5 girls and Archbishop Wood’s 25-3 boys will be scheduled following tonight’s re-scheduled action.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
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