PHILADELPHIA – Regulation was not long enough to settle the game when the William Penn Charter Quakers hosted the Academy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Inter-Ac League girls’ basketball action on Thursday, February 1, 2018. Overtime was necessary before Notre Dame managed to upset Penn Charter, 51-45.
There is a strong league rivalry between these two particular teams. When they faced each other earlier in the season at the home of Notre Dame, Penn Charter ultimately won and so it was time for some revenge.
“We just grounded it out,” said Notre Dame head coach Mary Beth McNichol. “Every year it is a battle.”
With this outcome, Notre Dame improved to 12-8 overall and 7-2 in the league. Mandy McGurk led the way with a team-high 20 points.
“It just came naturally, she said. “I let the game come to me. It definitely helps when you’re not at a disadvantage at halftime.”
Another advantage for Notre Dame was that the Irish finished 20-for-22 in foul shots as a team which turned out to haunt Penn Charter (11-14, 4-6).
“We missed foul shots,” said Penn Charter head coach Joe Maguire. “They didn’t. They’re well-coached. Girls execute.”
It was not an easy start for Notre Dame but McGurk truly put her team in the right direction. She scored all six points for her team in the first quarter and it trailed, 11-6.
Things gradually changed in the second quarter. Emma Maley and Kate Hnatkowsky helped Penn Charter extend its lead to 15-8 but Maggie Pina gave Notre Dame an 18-15 advantage. After Penn Charter used a time out with 28.7 to play in the opening half, Hntakowsky scored a three-point field goal from downtown to make it an even match at halftime.
Penn Charter's Kate Hnatkowsky hits a 3-pt basket to tie the game at halftime - Video by Dan McCarty
After three quarters, Penn Charter held a 29-28 surplus making it anybody’s game. McGurk hit back-to-back baskets early in the fourth quarter but Penn Charter fought its way back in. Hnatkowsky, Maley, Haley Hunt and Carmen Williams combined for an 8-0 sprint but Notre Dame’s Riley Gillin scored in the final second to send it to overtime.
“We had to start quicker,” said McGurk. “We had to win in those four minutes.”
At this point, it was still anyone’s game. With just 25 seconds remaining in the first overtime, Penn Charter was ahead, 51-46. Notre Dame, however, proved that it was not over yet. Pina sank two foul shots. Gillin added another and also scored one last bucket to win it before the buzzer.
PC vs. NDA - Photos by Dan McCarty
“We tied the game,” said McNichol. “We had a great defensive stop. We’ve been prepared.”
Notre Dame had to be careful for the entire contest as many Quakers were threatening. Hnatkowsky and Williams tallied 11 points apiece. Hunt added ten points.
“Everyone is a threat when you’re guarding a team with good players like this,” said McGurk.
Although the regular season is drawing to a close, the Academy of Notre Dame still has several league rivals to face. Among them are Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” said McNichol. “Hopefully, we can win out.”
In more league action, Penn Charter has yet to take on Agnes Irwin.
“I’m very confident in our team,” said Maguire. “Every game is a learning experience.”