SPRINGFIELD, PA- The intensity continued to build when the Archbishop Wood Vikings’ basketball team traveled to take on the Cardinal O’Hara Lions in Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) competition Friday, January 19, 2018. Wood had the lead for all of regulation but O’Hara junior Kerry Patterson enjoyed a moment in the spotlight when she shot a three-point field goal with just moments left on the clock to tie it up, 24-24, and force overtime.
“I don’t remember it happening,” she said. “We just needed to get the shot.”
As it turned out, the Vikings were not finished. Freshman Siobhan Boylan hit a three-pointer for the Lions and gave them their only lead of the night but freshman Kaitlyn Orihel took a 5-0 sprint of her own putting the score further out of O’Hara’s reach.
Kaitlyn Orihel goes to the line for Wood
“My three-pointer brought energy,” said Orihel. “We had to rely on our defense to finish it.”
O’Hara threatened to come back as senior Emily Helms scored and it was 32-29 but sophomore Mia Andrews hit one last foul shot and that was the game, 33-29.
“It was about my teammates,” said Andrews. “I wouldn’t have done it without them. I knew we had it.”
O’Hara (8-3) and Wood (10-5) have a strong history of rivalry in the PCL. The Vikings defeated the Lions last year during the regular season but they roared back for revenge in the PCL championship game at the Palestra in February.
“This is a tough game every single year,” said Patterson. “Our defense had one of its best nights. They’re never going to give up on offense.”
Sophomore Annie Whalen, Orihel and senior Erin Morgan all helped build a quick 6-0 advantage but O’Hara did not get the least bit discouraged as Patterson, senior Molly Paolino and junior Erin Welde cut it to 8-6 after the first quarter.
The next two periods were also close. Wood held a 19-16 lead going in to the fourth quarter and there was no way of knowing what was going to happen. Holding on to a 24-21 advantage with 4.1 to go, the Vikings used a time out. It did not help them as they had hoped as Patterson’s shining moment came and the game was not over. Wood, however, got through overtime and produced the result that the team wanted.
“I’m really proud of our effort tonight,” said Archbishop Wood head coach Mike McDonald. “Overtime was a new game, a tie game. We were reaching for the ball. We had to win.”
Orihel finished with a total of 14 points and five rebounds. Andrews added ten points.
“I was feeling confident,” said Orihel. “I saw my area. I knew I had to move on.”
Wood has a tough road ahead in the Catholic League taking on Bonner & Prendergast, Archbishop Carroll and an undefeated Archbishop Ryan team.
“If we keep playing like this we’ll do really well,” said Andrews.
O’Hara has its work cut out as well taking on PCL rivals Archbishop Ryan, Bonner & Prendergast and Bishop McDevitt.