WARMINSTER, PA – If you clicked on this story to find out the score of last night’s girls’ basketball game between Archbishop Wood and Neumann-Goretti, here it is: Neumann-Goretti 45 – Archbishop Wood 36.

However, the physicality of the game that occurred last night inside a packed gymnasium at Archbishop Wood High School was more than just final numbers displayed on a wall-mounted scoreboard.

It was nothing short of what one would expect when two Philadelphia Catholic League girls’ basketball powerhouses collide in an early season battle. The game was intense, it had those typical “hold your breath” moments, but out of everything, it was the perfect example of what it means to play “fearless basketball.”

I could tell you that Saints senior guard Jabria Ingram was a phenomenal offensive force, putting up 21 points, and I could explain how Wood’s Katie Katie May, Ryleigh Parsons, Mia Andrews and Kaitlyn Orihel made crucial 3-point buckets to keep the Vikings in the hunt during the second half. But what I cannot put into words is the strength and athleticism that was displayed by each player that stepped on the court last night. That gut instinct, that “fearlessness” to play as a unit and for each other can only be explained by the players themselves.

-Senior Captains of Archbishop Wood and Neumann-Goretti girls’ basketball teams give their definition of what it means to play “Fearless Basketball.” 

This was the third league game of the season for Wood (2-1 PCL) and the second for Neumann-Goretti (2-0). Sure, each team has their share of improvements to make going forward, but each team came in to this game with the same desire and willingness to win, fighting for every loose ball and creating turnovers like a championship title was on the line.

“Well we knew preparing in practice that Wood was a good, tough team. We knew that we had to get ready and practice hard and make sure that we did everything right to come away with the win today,” said Neumann-Goretti senior Daijah Parmley.

Having that passion and that craving for victory, even if it is only the beginning of the season, is what makes playing in the Philadelphia Catholic League so special for these teams. The PCL is recognized as one of the toughest leagues in the country, and that is a true testament to the work ethic of the players and coaches that compile this league. 

“It makes us work even harder,” said Wood senior captain, Katie May.” We know that every game that we have to come out and play our best in order to win.”

On the floor, as noted above, Ingram led the Saints totaling 21-points followed by Tatiana Jones with 11-points and Angel Ricks with 7-points.

Andrews led the Vikings with 10-points. May and Annie Whalen also added to Wood’s offense with each player recording 6-points.

This game could very well forecast the PCL semifinal or final match-up. However, there is a lot more basketball left to be played. Neumann-Goretti will host Cardinal O’Hara, the reigning PCL champions, tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. in what can only be assumed as another tough contest.  

“We fell asleep on defense tonight, and they caught us in the back doors, that’s what Wood is really good at. So, we just have to play better defense going forward and not sleep,” said Parmley.  

As for Wood, as one game ends, preparation for the next begins. The Vikings look to bounce back on the road Thursday at 7:00p.m. against Conwell-Egan. Senior co-captain, Bridget Arcidiacono looks forward to getting back on the court and working with her new offensive counterparts.

“I think with this new team coming in and playing with new girls on the court that we need to work on playing together and running our offense more. We are still getting used to each other and our styles of play. So I think that when we run our offense more it will work better for us,” said Arcidiacono, a Thomas Jefferson University commit.