ROSEMONT, PA – Another basketball season is underway. The Episcopal Academy Churchwomen and the Agnes Irwin Owls opened up their Inter-Ac League play Monday, December 18, with Agnes Irwin hosting.
Episcopal Academy is coming off of a remarkable season. The Churchwomen finished with a record of 15-8 overall and 11-1 in the league. They split the league title with Germantown Academy. Three senior tri-captains head the list of veterans this year including Seanna McNamara, Luca Mamula and Katie Weaver.
“We’ve been working hard in practice,” said McNamara. “It’s paying off in the games.”
Both teams display great defense during their 2017-18 season opener
This is a bit of a rebuilding era for Agnes Irwin as it welcomes first-year head coach Andrea Carter.
EA opened up its Inter-Ac play on a strong note with a 56-32 victory over Agnes Irwin. McNamara and Mamula led the way with 17 points apiece and 12 points each in just the first half. They combined for a quick 7-0 advantage prompting Agnes Irwin to take a time out.
“We made some early shots,” said Episcopal Academy head coach Chuck Simmonds. “Defense at the start was pretty good.”
That helped as Agnes Irwin regrouped and Katherine Anderson scored as did Mary Grace Miller, Elizabeth McNulty and Gianna Napolean. Raeleen Keffer-Schampf got on the board for EA that held a 19-10 surplus after the first quarter.
EA dominated the second quarter as Katie Weaver, McNamara, Mamula and Olivia Dirks all scored and extended the lead to 34-12 at halftime.
Paige Brala, Anderson, Naoplean and Miller kept the Owls in the game throughout the second half but EA kept putting the score further and further out of their reach. Allie Sillo and Caroline McCreory contributed for the Chruchwomen during the fourth quarter before the clock expired.
“We rebounded the ball on offense,” said Simmonds. “It’s a matter of getting better with every game.”
With this outcome, EA improved to 3-3 on the season. Weaver also scored in double digits with ten points. Dirks added four points and provided four assists.
“We picked up our defense,” said McNamara. “We switched to man which has been a lot better.”
EA vs. AIS - Photos by Dan McCarty
“If we catch EA when we have fresh legs it will be a different story,” said Carter. “We were just physically drained. I’m really proud of them.”
Episcopal Academy is also prepared for a tough season ahead, especially when it takes on host Germantown Academy on Friday, January 5, 2018.
“That one will be the toughest,” said McNamara. “If we continue coming out strong we can win the Inter-Ac League.”
Looking Ahead: Episcopal Academy will resume league play on Jan. 3 on the road against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. The Irwins will play Notre Dame Academy at home on Jan. 5.