Article & Videos: John Knebels
Photos by: Zamani Feelings
PHILADELPHIA – If the season ended today, Archbishop Wood’s girls’ basketball team would have much to celebrate.
According to the players, however, not much enough. Not even close.
“This win means the world,” said Wood sophomore Kaitlyn Orihel, referring to the Vikings’ 60-50, Catholic League girls’ semifinal triumph over Neumann-Goretti February 19 at Jefferson University. “Since we lost here last year, it was our goal from the beginning to make it back to the Palestra. We want to make this run for our seniors. It means everything.”
Video: 5 quick points puts Wood back in the game late in the 3rd QTR…Kaitlyn Orihel drills her record-setting 19th free-throw in 20 shots...followed by Ryanne Allen at the line & Viking celebration:
The Vikings are heard celebrating their trip to the Palestra for the PCL championship:
Orihel helped orchestrate Wood’s pending championship bid against top-seed Archbishop Carroll February 25 at the Palestra in record-setting fashion. The first-team, All-Catholic guard tallied 31 points (one shy of her career high, versus West Catholic), with 16 coming in a pivotal fourth quarter during which the three-seed Vikings outscored the two-seed Saints by an astonishing 24-11. She also contributed a game-high seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
On the free-throw line, Orihel was simply amazing. She took 20 shots and made 19 – the most by any female player in Catholic League post-season history. At one point, she drilled 16 straight – another playoff mark. She later said that she was “mad” about the one she missed but “had to just forget about it and worry about the next one.”
As a squad, Wood’s marksmanship from the charity stripe was a mind-boggling 31 of 34.
With a befitting wry smile, Wood coach Mike McDonald kidded that it was “unacceptable” for Orihel to miss a free throw. Clearly, he was extremely impressed along with everyone else, but he was hardly surprised.
“Every single day she stays after practice and takes more foul shots, and she makes sure she makes them before she goes home,” said McDonald. “Every single day. She and Ryanne Allen stay every single day and shoot (extra) foul shots. She puts in the time and preparation and it gives her confidence.”
The same player who had defeated Cardinal O’Hara in the quarterfinal with a last-second basket, Orihel brushed aside personal plaudits.
“We need underclassmen to step up,” said Orihel. “Luckily we have the people to step up. Our chemistry is that we don’t care who scores. We play for the people next to us.”
The aforementioned Allen played like a veteran. The freshman third-team All-Catholic produced 17 points, three rebounds, and an assist while using every inch of her six feet to alter Neumann-Goretti shooting attempts.
With Wood trailing by 37-31 late in the third quarter, Allen followed a perfectly orchestrated execution from senior Ryleigh Parsons to a driving Orihel with a three-point swish to cut the deficit to 37-36 and ignite the Wood faithful.
The assist by Parsons was her game-best fifth. She also nailed four-of-four from the foul line and grabbed two rebounds. Her persistent defense helped limit N-G’s dynamic junior league Most Valuable Player guard Diamond Johnson to 18 points, but none over the final 17 minutes of the contest.
“Coach was telling us in the huddle when we were down eight (34-26 with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter) that we have to box out and grab those easy rebounds,” said Parsons. “Once we did that, we started knocking down shots and (stopping them on their) possessions.”
McDonald figured there would be turbulence along the way. After all, Neumann-Goretti is one of the top teams in the state and never ever lacks confidence.
In the semifinal victory, Kaitlyn Orihel & Ryanne Allen scored 48 of Wood's 60 points:
Wood seniors "Biz" Fasti, Annie Whalen & Ryleigh Parsons break down the Vikings' victory:
Wood head coach Mike McDonald said the Vikings had to rely on what they know best:
“Stick to what we want to do,” said McDonald, referring to what he told his team during two rugged stretches – trailing 13-3 midway through the first quarter and 35-26 midway through the third. “We needed to be patient and take good shots.
“We want to run our offense. Stay in our system. That’s where they’re most confident, because that’s what they practice. They know what they’re supposed to do. Find open people, find reads, find cuts off of screens.”
Oh, and make foul shots. Lots and lots of foul shots.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
2019 PCL Girls' Semifinal: Wood vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Photos by Zamani Feelings
Wood vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Photos by Zamani Feelings
2019 PCL Championship at the Palestra, Monday, Feb. 25
No. 1 Archbishop Carroll vs. No. 3 Archbishop Wood - 6:30 PM
*Boys' championship to follow*