By: John Knebels
INTER-AC GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:The Inter-Academic League was a one-team show last year, as Germantown Academy blitzed the field without losing a game.
The Patriots continue to be the, pardon the cliché, gold standard. Gone from last year’s 25-5 overall, 12-0 title squad that averaged a scary 61 points per game are stalwarts Cat Polisano (Fordham University) and Alexa Naessens (Colgate). The Patriots, however, remain deep and balanced, and they appear well poised to defend their league crown, which they’ve won for 18 of the past 20 years under coach Sherri Retif.
"The big challenge this season will be the intensity of our competitive schedule,” said Retif. “In hopes of preparing our girls for league and post-season play, we have scheduled the best teams in the area, including multiple league and state champions."
Four returning starters include a pair of junior first-team, all-league selections in combo guard Jaye Haynes and swing Elle Stauffer (Harvard University commit; averaged 12 points per game). They join co-captains Rachel Balzer, a senior George Mason University commit who averaged 10 points and is recovered from a hip labrum repair from last March, and point guard Maddie Vizza, a junior three-year starter.
GA junior co-captain #3 Maddie Vizza - PSD Photo
GA senior co-captain #23 Rachel Balzer - PSD Photo
“Players to watch” are highlighted by 6-3 sophomore center Becca Booth, junior Maddie Burns (verbal commitment to play lacrosse at Michigan University), junior point guard Sarah DiLello, junior guard Lindsay Putnam, and sophomore guard Jessica Moore.
Notre Dame Academy first-year coach Lauren Thomer’s resume is beyond impressive, with college coaching stints that easily rival any high school hoops coach in the area.
A 2000 graduate of Archbishop Ryan who then played at Rider University, Thomer very much appreciates her previous mentors.
“I definitely always refer back to my own experiences,” said Thomer. “I learned from some great minds. It’s really helped break the game down, plan for practices, and prepare for games.”
The Irish finished 8-4 in the Inter-Ac last year and advanced to the PAISAA championship. Already off to a 6-1 record overall, Notre Dame extends about eight to 10 players deep.
Mainstays include seniors Mandy McGurk (5-7 point guard who through December 20 was 56 points from a career 1,000), Maggie Pina (5-8 guard who is approaching 900 career points), Caitlyn Mullen (5-9 swing), and Emma Kichula (5-11 forward); junior Allie Lynch(5-6 guard), and freshman Maeve McErlane (5-8 guard).
“It’s been a smooth transition,” said Thomer, referring to replacing legendary Mary Beth McNichol, who won more than 500 games during her 27-year career. “Any time you take over a program, there’s an adjustment for everyone.
“There’s a rich history of success and I have the greatest respect for Mary Beth and her coaching staff and what they built for 27 years. I’m excited to build on that success and make an impact in the growth and development of our student-athletes.”
ND senior Mandy McGurk nears her 1,000 point milestone this season - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings
ND senior Maggie Pina nears 900 points - PSD Photo Kevin Murphy
Baldwin School will rely on its height, shooting accuracy, and full-court pressure defense. The Bears return three key seniors in guards Lauren Bracken and Olivia Tornetta, and forward Simi Bleznak. A heavy dose of youth includes junior guard Alex Loomis, 6-1 sophomore forward Anajah Brown, 5-11 sophomore swing Rani Bleznak, 5-11 sophomore forward Taylor Levinson, freshman guard Kaya Weiser, and freshman swing Gabi Pritzker.
“The biggest key to our success will be defending well consistently and limiting other teams’ possessions,” said first-year coach John Bernhardt. “If we are able to slow games down and dictate the pace of games we will be very successful.
“We also need to minimize mistakes, make the easy pass, and learn to take the best shot – not just a ‘good’ shot.”
For the first time in eight years, Agnes Irwin School has a second-year coach. Andrea Carter, a 2002 graduate of John W. Hallahan High, describes AI as a “rebuilding program.”
“We graduated a strong group of senior leaders,” said Carter. “The underclassmen have stepped up.”
Katie Anderson returns at point guard. The junior team captain is approaching 900 career points and is averaging a team-best 19 points per game. She joins seniors Taryn Kelly (forward/center), Liz McNulty (guard) and Mary Grace Miller (second leading scorer at 10 ppg.), along with sophomore forward Caroline Vauclain, in the starting lineup.
Although most of the Owls’ primary athletic pursuits involve other sports, namely field hockey and lacrosse, Carter raved about AI’s attitude.
“Their work ethic is impeccable,” said Carter. “The team camaraderie is great. We always have a very positive vibe.”
Episcopal Academy graduated three key cogs from a squad that amassed a 7-5 mark in the Inter-Ac. The Churchladies are off to a strong start, having opened the league season with a 59-37 victory over Agnes-Irwin School.
Coach Chuck Simmonds will rely heavily on senior guard Oliva Dirks.
AIS vs. EA - Photos by Dan McCarty
AIS vs. EA
EA senior Olivia Dirks - PSD Photo
“She’s the team captain, our top defender, and she adds some scoring,” said Simmonds. “She does a good job. The other players follow her leadership.”
Juniors Raeleen Keffer-Scharpf (forward) and Cara Harty (guard) will also start. After that comes a variety of contributions from freshmen and sophomores that will allow Simmonds to “find a rotation that works.”
“We are counting on some inexperience to play some significant minutes,” said Simmonds. “It’s been fun watching who has emerged. They’re young and have a lot of opportunity.”
Penn Charter did not lose any players to graduation from last year’s team that finished 5-7 in the league.
“We are hoping to play hard, smart, together, and have fun,” said fourth-year coach Joe Maguire. “We have many skilled players who can do multiple things on the basketball court. We are hoping to compete for the Inter-Ac championship and state championship.”
The Quakers will start one senior – guard Emma Maley– and four underclassmen comprised of junior swings Carmen Williams, Kait Carter, and Hayley Hunt, along with eighth-grade swing Kelsey Bess.
Top reserves include junior India Barnes; sophomores Laila Hamiter, Kaitlyn Hnatkowsky, and Janae Stewart; and freshman Amani Rivers.
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At Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, coach Florence Hagains will rely on a starting unit of seniors Mo’ne Davis, Caroline Clark, and Kara Kniezewski; junior Kaitlyn Reagan, and eighth grader Ava Chavez.
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WPC vs. SCHA - Photos by Zamani Feelings
WPC vs. SCHA - Photos by Zamani Feelings
“This is where most of our scoring comes from,” said Hagains. “Mo’ne is our leader on the floor.
Off the bench, Rebecca Arnold and Caroline Chilberti are, according to Hagains, “fierce defensive players.”
“Our bench is very young, but full of potential,” said Hagains. “This season will be very different from last year.”
John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.