PIAA Quarterfinals:
West Catholic Preparatory School girls’ basketball coach Beulah Osueke summarized the Lady Burrs’ latest display of heroics.
“Surreal,” she said.
Osueke was referring to Friday night’s buzzer-beater by freshman Destiney McPhaul that catapulted West to a scintillating 50-49 victory over Mahanoy Area High School in a PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinal at Bethlehem’s Freedom High School.
The victory placed the Lady Burrs (15-12) in Monday’s 6 PM state semifinal against Penns Manor (24-5), a PIAA first for West Catholic’s girls’ hoops program. It is doubtful that the game will contain nearly as much drama as the win over a Mahanoy team that finished with a superb 26-3 record.
Neither team led by more than six points. There were five ties and 11 lead changes, the most important being the final one.
Trailing 49-48, the Lady Burrs called timeout with 10 seconds remaining. After inbounding, West tried to break through Mahanoy’s defense, but the latter held tight.
With several players blocking a drive to the hoop, McPhaul put up a prayer, and it was answered in the form of a three-foot bank shot that fell through the net as the horn sounded.
“It feels good to hit the game-winning shot,” said McPhaul. “We not only advance to the final four, but we made school history.
West Catholic Buzzer Beater vs. Mahanoy - courtesy of a WC parent
The Lady Burrs celebrate after earning their first ever trip to the PIAA semifinals - Photo Courtesy of WC Lady Burrs
“The play was not set up for me but somehow I ended up with the ball in my hands with three seconds to go. This was a play where everybody was all over the place and with that happening I knew what I had to do, so I took the shot.”
Junior Amiyah Edney scored a team-high 15 for West Catholic, McPhaul finished with 11, and junior Kyliah Singletary added eight. Senior Jaelyn Durrett, West’s only upperclassman, was thrilled.
“Words can’t even describe how proud I am of my team,” said Durrett. “When we got into the locker room, they all told me, ‘We’re going to get you a ring, Jae.’ I appreciate them so much. I’m very glad I chose to come to West Catholic.”
Archbishop Wood faced West Chester Henderson in Saturday’s Class 5A quarterfinal at Spring-Ford High School. Henderson was 30-0 and had little difficulty in almost all of their wins. Then the Warriors jumped ahead by 12-2.
No problem.
Sophomore Lindsay Tretter and Senior Katie May (10 rebounds) scored 14 apiece and helped put an end to WCH’s perfect season with a 40-35 victory. The Vikings (21-7) will face District 11 champion Southern Lehigh (27-2) 7:30 Tuesday at Souderton High School.
“A gritty comeback win,” said Wood coach Mike McDonald. “We were rushing shots and we gave them too many easy baskets early. Once we settled in defensively we were okay.”
Wood trailed by six points in the fourth quarter before taking control behind Tretter (four three-pointers) and May, both of whom netted eight points in the final stanza. McDonald lauded the contributions of several other Vikings.
“Lindsay had a huge fourth for us and Katie as well,” said McDonald. “(Senior) Erin Morgan and Katie May were the reason we were able to hold their bigs in check with outstanding defensive efforts. Katie May was able to hit a couple mid-range jumpers and then when they collapsed, we found Lindsay Tretter for open looks and she knocked them down.
“(Junior) Annie Whalen had a great extra pass to Tretter when it mattered most. She fed the hot hand as a great teammate. (Junior) Ryleigh Parsons did a great job handling pressure for us.”
Morgan grabbed five rebounds and scored three points.
“Thankfully we stayed mentally composed and pulled out the win,” said Morgan. “We had to play smart defense and take the best shots. It was a little intimidating playing a team with a 30-0 record, but we were able to come together in the end for a great win.”
Wood head coach Mike McDonald talks about the Viking's mid-game adjustments and upcoming game plan in an interview conducted by 2017 ABW girls' basketball alumni Shannon May & Cassie Sebold
Wood sophomore Lindsay Tretter talks about Wood's game plan vs. WC Henderson
Interviews above & highlight video below shot by Cassie Sebold (Chestnut Hill freshman guard) and Shannon May (Univ. of the Sciences freshman guard).
Wood vs. WC Henderson - Highlight Video by Shannon May & Cassie Sebold
In another Class 5A contest, Archbishop Carroll dominated Oakland Catholic in every phase and coasted to a 52-31 Saturday win at Chambersburg Area High School. On Tuesday, the Patriots will take on 22-6 Mars High School 5:30 at Bald Eagle High School in Bellefonte.
The Patriots (21-7) led 17-10 after one quarter and 28-13 at halftime. Leading 34-22 entering the fourth quarter, Carroll ended any suspense with a 17-10 run.
“Unlike our last few games, we got off to a quick and energized start,” said senior Molly Masciantonio, who tallied a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. “We played really good team defense which led to our offense doing everything we do well. We had energy the whole game today. I was real proud of how we stuck together when they had a run in the second half.”
Sophomore Erin Sweeney (13 points, seven rebounds), junior Harlem Jennings (12 points, five rebounds, and five assists), and senior Wynter Bess (six points) balanced the scoring.
Alli Dreger, whose buzzer-beater had sent the Patriots into the quarterfinal, said the Patriots’ quick start helped throughout the remainder of the game.
Carroll vs. Oakland Catholic - Highlight Video by Maeve Riehman
Photos taken by Maeve Riehman
“We had great energy and when we keep it up we play so well as a team on the bench and on the court,” said Dreger. “They were a very good team, but we showed that we are capable of doing great things.”
Bonner-Prendergast wasn’t playing its best in Saturday’s Class 4A quarterfinal against Gwynedd-Mercy Academy at Thomas Jefferson University. The Pandas needed a boost.
A 9-0 beginning of the third quarter was precisely what they needed. That and a tenacious defense that held the thoroughly frustrated Monarchs to zero – yes, zero – field goals in the entire second half – propelled the Pandas to a 39-31 triumph and an advancement to Tuesday’s 7:30 semifinal against 29-0 Lancaster Catholic 7:30 at Downingtown West High School.
Eight different players scored for BP (17-10). Junior Maeve McCann’s led in points with 10. Sophomore Alexis Gleason (11 rebounds) added eight and sophomore Dakota McCaughan seven. The Pandas outscored GMA (18-9) by 23-10 in the second half.
“As cliche as it may sound, it's about survive and move on, and although this wasn't our best overall game, it was good enough to come out with a win,” said McCaughan. “Our defensive adjustments to shooters played an influential role, and having various players step up at key moments throughout the game greatly contributed to our win.”
Senior Emily Monahan agreed.
MBAP vs. Gwynedd Mercy - Highlight video by Geneva Heffernan
MBAP vs. Gwynedd Mercy - PSD Photos by Geneva Heffernan
MBAP vs. Gwynedd - PSD photos by Geneva Heffernan
“We are really playing together as a team right now and it’s working for us,” said Monaghan. “Our defense is what is helping us win these games. We’re really excited to be here and hope we can get further.”
In Class 3A Friday at Bensalem High School, Neumann-Goretti upended St. Basil’s, 47-29. The Saints (20-7) will face 28-1 Dunmore 6 PM Monday at Bethlehem’s Freedom High School.
“We came out slow in the first half but were able to turn it up in the third quarter,” said N-G coach Andrea Peterson. “Once we got the momentum, we just kept rolling.”
During the regular season, NG head coach Andrea Peterson notched her 100th victory. The Saints look to bring home another state title to make this season even sweeter - PSD Photo
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)