SPRINGFIELD, PA – Although it always helps to start on a strong note, what matters most during back-and-forth clashes is finishing. After a slow start, the Cardinal O’Hara Lions gradually fought their way back in to it when they hosted the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders on Friday, February 2, in Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) girls’ basketball action. O’Hara ultimately defeated Lansdale Catholic, 53-47, in overtime.
“We played slow in the beginning,” said senior Mackenzie Gardler. “We started to pick it up. We recollected and came together as a team.”
This victory increased O’Hara’s record to 14-4 overall and 9-2 in the Catholic League as the regular season is coming to an end and playoff spots are on the line.
One achievement that is not only fresh in Gardler’s mind but also in the minds of her teammates, coaches and the entire O’Hara community is how she joined her school’s 1,000th point club in a 53-31 PCL victory over St. Hubert just three days earlier. She needed to score 20 points in order to make it to that milestone and ended up doing exactly that.
“It was a relief,” said the All-Delco guard. “It’s a good self-accomplishment.”
Cardinal O'Hara senior Kenzie Gardler was honored at home after recording her 1,000th career point in away game vs. St. Hubert - PSD Photo by Dan McCarty
Gardler is headed to nearby Villanova University in the fall.
She continued her prominent performance when the Lions took on Lansdale Catholic. This time Gardler finished with 14 points in support of teammate Maura Hendrixson, who led the way with 17.
O'Hara's Maura Hendrixson hits a long 3-point third quarter buzzer beater - video by Dan McCarty
Both teams display great defense
Lansdale Catholic vs. O'Hara - PSD photo by Dan McCarty
It was not over until it was over. Brady Wassel and Timaya Lewis combined for a 5-0 sprint to give Lansdale Catholic a 45-39 advantage late in the fourth quarter, but O’Hara did not give up. Siobhan Boylan responded with a basket. Gardler shot one from the foul line with 1:03 on the clock before scoring another basket plus the game-tying foul shot that sent it to overtime.
Gardler hit the first free throw of overtime to give her team what turned out to be a permanent lead. Teammate Erin Welde followed with two. The Crusaders’ Olivia Schneider scored, but O’Hara prevailed from that point forward thanks to Molly Paolino and Gardler to call it a match.
“This was where we were going to escalate,” said Gardler.
Among the highlights for Lansdale Catholic this season is that the school’s 1,000th point club also gained another member when senior Lauren Crim reached the 1,000-point mark in a 50-48 victory over West Catholic on Thursday, January 11th. Crim entered in to this match with 987 points and this was the last thing on her mind. She finished with 18 points on the day but securing the win was more important, especially with it being such a tight one.
“I knew it was close,” said Crim. “It was relieving.”
Crim is committed to Chestnut Hill College. She became the eighth female in Lansdale Catholic basketball history to achieve quadruple digit scoring. She knows it never would have happened without her teammates being behind her.
“I can’t thank every single person on the court enough,” she said. “I wouldn’t have gotten it without them.”