By: Dan McCarty
Photos & Highlight Videos: Geneva Heffernan
PHILADELPHIA – It was not over until it was over when the Academy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosted the William Penn Charter Quakers in Inter Ac League girls’ basketball action Friday, Feb. 1. It came down to the very last moment as eighth grader Kelsey Bess shot a basket off of a pass by junior Carmen Williams in the final seconds as Penn Charter edged Notre Dame by the narrowest of margins, 46-45.
The Quakers had previously dropped a decision to the Irish earlier this season and so they entered in to this match looking to come out on top and so managed to do so.
“Today, we just kept believing in each other because we lost to them before so we just kept believing in each other, sharing the ball and working together,” said Bess.
On the day, Penn Charter improved tis overall record to 20-5. Notre Dame dropped to 14-6.
“We were playing unselfish and giving each other the ball,” said Quaker's head coach Joe Maguire. “That’s what we need to continue to do.”
The first half was close with Notre Dame holding a 20-16 halftime advantage. It remained tight as the second half progressed. Junior Kaitlyn Carter, Williams along with senior Emma Hunt began the new half with a 7-0 sprint. Senior Mandy McGurk, freshman Maeve McErlane and junior Allie Lynch kept Notre Dame in it and the Irish led, 34-29, at the conclusion of the third quarter.
Penn Charter's Kelsey Bess talks about how it felt to hit the game winner at the buzzer:
ND's Mandy McGurk talks about team improvements moving forward:
There was plenty of time left. The Irish used two time outs in the last three minutes of action and junior Riley Gillin scored with less than a minute on the clock to make the score 45-44. The Quakers took a time out with only 12.5 in regulation. It turned out to be the right decision as Bess had her shining moment scoring the game-winner.
Carter (13 points), Williams (12 points) and Bess (11 points) all paced Penn Charter’s offense.
“We just stick together, play hard every game and play as a team,” said Bess.
McGurk led the way for Notre Dame with 17 points. McErlane added seven.
“I think this gives us a little bit of fuel to keep going and take every games as it comes,” said McGurk. “We’ll take every game as it comes and know that each opponent is going to be a challenge.”
This has been a remarkable season for McGurk along with teammate and senior Maggie Pina who both registered their 1,000th career point.
WPC vs. SCHA - PSD Photos by Geneva Heffernan
WPC vs. SCHA - Photos by Geneva Heffernan
“It feels really nice to leave our marks on Notre Dame basketball,” said Pina. “Our names will be remembered. It’s nice for our program to get more people. It just builds on the program.”
On Friday, Jan. 25, the Quakers hosted the Springside Chestnut Hill Blue Devils on senior night. Before the game, Penn Charter’s two seniors Emma Maley and Abby Marion were honored by their teammates and posed for pictures with their parents.
The added energy from senior day definitely showed. The Quaker’s offense came out on fire, propelling Penn Charter to a 26-8 first quarter lead. Maley, sophomore Kait Hnatkowsky and Bess all contributed from behind the arc to enhance the Quakers lead to 39-14 by halftime.
While the Blue Devils tried to close the gap in the third quarter, Maley showed her senior prowess tallying 16 points, which included four three-pointers, in route to a 58-39 victory.
Mo’ne Davis led the Blue Devils with 19 points.
WPC seniors (L) Abby Marion & (R) Emma Maley talk about their most memorable moments:
Penn Charter vs. SCHA - Highlight Video by Geneva Heffernan:
Looking Ahead:Notre Dame will host Episcopal Academy tomorrow at 5:15 PM and will play away against Agnes Irwin on Thursday (Feb. 7) at 4:00 PM. Penn Charter will travel to Episcopal Academy this Friday at 4:00 PM. Springside Chestnut Hill will play away vs. Baldwin tomorrow at 4:00 PM and will play home vs. Germantown Academy on Friday (Feb. 8) at 4:00 PM.