WILDWOOD, NJ – The Archbishop Ryan Ragdolls traveled to Wildwood, NJ to play in the Boardwalk Basketball Classic over the holiday. The Ragdolls were placed in the Genny Farnan-Robinson Memorial bracket. First up, the team played Downingtown East. Ryan maintained the lead for most of the game. The first quarter ended with two consecutive three point shots by Shayne Glenn, giving Ryan a 18-12 lead, but the Ragdolls found themselves down at the half 20-22. After the brief intermission, the Ragdolls came out with more energy and added focus. Due to a combination of good free throw shooting and sinking crucial shots, Ryan ended the third with a 38-27 lead. The Ragdolls continued to increase their lead for a convincing 49-35 victory. Monee Moore led Ryan on the floor with 14 points and Danielle McCurdy followed tallying 13 points. The win placed the Ragdolls in the championship game the following evening.
In the Genny Farnan-Robinson Memorial Championship Game Ryan played Camden Catholic, who is 3-1 in the Olympic Conference in New Jersey. To advance to the finals, Camden Catholic inched out Neshaminy High School by one, 46-45.
Ryan found themselves behind after the first quarter, losing 12-16. During the second quarter, the Ragdoll’s were still playing a game of catch-up as Camden Catholic entered the half up 29-23. At the start of the third, Ryan got the hot hand. Taliyah Rahman scored back to back treys while Moore, McCurdy and Annie Cashman all contributed from the floor to give the Ragdolls a 36-34 lead. Glenn came in for Ryan and scored a three-pointer right away and sunk another three later in the period. After many free throws from both teams in the final minutes, Ryan secured the 53-48 victory over Camden Catholic. Rahman led the Ragdolls in scoring with 13 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Moore with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
After the game, Cashman explained the Ragdoll’s preparation when playing non-league and out of state teams.
“I think sometimes we either have film or coach will tell us what their style of play is. Other times we hear about them or have seen them play,” said Cashman, who totaled 5 points in the Genny Farnan-Robinson Memorial Championship Game.
Upon returning from Christmas break, the Ragdolls resumed Catholic League play at home against West Catholic.
Taliyah Rahman shooting from the line. - Photo by Jackie Schaeffer
The Ragdolls defeated the Lady Burrs 62-56 to go 10-0 overall and 2-0 in PCL play.
The first quarter ended with a score of 14-9 in favor of West Catholic. Ryan senior forwards Caela Russell and McCurdy stepped up in the second half to give the Ragdolls a 22-19 lead.
Cashman explained that having clear communication on the court helps to ease confusion during defense-dominated games.
McCurdy goes up for a block vs. West Catholic - Photo by Jackie Schaeffer
“It's all about communication, we should always know who we (guard) because we should always be talking to each other,” said Cashman. “It's not that hard to cover different people because we know who the shooters are and who to keep in front.”
Cashman had two consecutive three-point shots to start the scoring in the third quarter. However, the Lady Burrs recaptured the lead 39-36 going into the final stanza.
“I think we all reacted to their (West Catholic’s) noise at first, but then after we adjusted we used it to our advantage and played off of it,” said McCurdy.
Once Ryan regained the lead in the fourth they did not look back. West Catholic had five players in foul trouble, which led to numerous substitutions at every stoppage. The Lady Burr’s strategy of fouling the Ragdolls and obtaining a rebound to score did not work out, as Ryan went 12-16 from the foul line in the second half.
“We went into the West Catholic game with the same attitude that we go into every game with, to play hard and do what we do so we can let the game come to us,” said McCurdy.
Due to the inclement weather, the Ragdoll’s next PCL game will take place on Friday, Jan. 12 at Hallahan. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30p.m.
-Article by Jackie Schaeffer, Jr. Reporter from Archbishop Ryan