Downingtown West (51)
Kelly Coker 1 0-0 2; Jessica Beswick 3 2-2 9; Isabel Scott 2 0-4 4; Megan Martin 1 0-0 2; Amanda Donia 6 9-10 23; Jessica Renaud 4 3-4 11; Brittany Sicinski 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 14-20 51.
Council Rock-North (42)
Juliann Fricke 1 0-0 2; Devin Gold 0 1-2 1; Kelly Scull 3 1-2 7; Sarah Kiely 6 3-3 15; Kate Logan 3 0-0 8; Lauren Gold 2 5-5 9; Jodi Marrazzo 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 10-12 42.
DW: 12-9-13-17—51
CRN: 13-4-16-9—42
Three-point goals: Donia 2, Beswick (DW); Logan 2 (CRN).
NINE THINGS
1. No. 11 seed Downingtown West (18-7) pulled off its second straight upset in the District One Class AAAA tournament. The Whippets played very well and led for most of the game. They were up by four, 21-17, at halftime and by seven, 29-22, late in the third quarter. No. 3 seed CR-North (22-3) tied the game, 29-29, with a 7-0 run and was still tied with 2:57 to go in the fourth quarter, 40-40. But CR-North never did have a lead after the 5:24 mark of the third quarter.
2. “I turned around at one point and said, ‘We can’t get over the hump,’” CR-North coach Lou Palkovics said. "We didn't play well as a group. Our offense was stagnant."
3. Forward Amanda Donia led the Whippets with 23 points and hit nine of 10 free throws in the last 2:52 of the game.
4. CR-North junior Sarah Kiely had 15 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists despite missing about four minutes with a turned ankle during an important stretch at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth.
5. Downingtown West faces No. 2 Downingtown East (23-2) in the semifinals on Wednesday. CR-North (22-3), which has already qualified for the state tournament, plays in a playback game on Wednesday.
6. “It’s very disappointing,” Kiely said. “I thought we could get to the district championship. I thought we could make a run.”
7. “Downingtown seemed to know everything we were going to do,” Kiely said. “On offense, we were stagnant. On defense, we could have been better.”
8. "(Kate) Logan was on. She made some big shots," Kiely said. "Besides that, our shots weren't falling. They were hitting the front of the rim. They were hitting the back of the rim."
9. Downingtown West has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Whippets have allowed more than 50 points only once all season.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
CR-North 55, Methacton 36
Methacton (36)
Lauren Ruhl 6 1-2 14; Ali Hammond 1 1-3 4; Mel Ordway 2 3-4 7; Lindsey Allebach 0 2-2 2; Carley Parker 0 3-6 3; Sarah McMichael 0 0-0 0; Maddy Parker 2 0-0 4; Khaila Speller 0 0-2 0; Amy Klinger 0 0-0 0; Olivia Reiche 0 2-2 2; Abby Devlin 0 0-0 0; Maria Numerato 0 0-0 0; Nicole Bridgens 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 12-21 36.
CR-North (55)
Juliann Fricke 2 2-4 7; Devin Gold 3 3-3 10; Kelly Scull 3 0-0 6; Kate Logan 1 2-2 5; Sarah Kiely 6 6-6 18; Lauren Gold 2 2-4 6; Jodi Marrazzo 0 0-0 0; Rebecca Houser 0 0-0 0; Emily Grundman 0 1-2 1; Ally Mangogna 1 0-0 2; Brittany Garvey 0 0-0 0; Steph Brennan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 16-21 55.
M: 4-5-7-20—36
CRN: 11-13-13-18—55
Three-point goals: Ruhl, Hammond (M); Fricke, D. Gold, Logan (CRN).
Lauren Ruhl 6 1-2 14; Ali Hammond 1 1-3 4; Mel Ordway 2 3-4 7; Lindsey Allebach 0 2-2 2; Carley Parker 0 3-6 3; Sarah McMichael 0 0-0 0; Maddy Parker 2 0-0 4; Khaila Speller 0 0-2 0; Amy Klinger 0 0-0 0; Olivia Reiche 0 2-2 2; Abby Devlin 0 0-0 0; Maria Numerato 0 0-0 0; Nicole Bridgens 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 12-21 36.
CR-North (55)
Juliann Fricke 2 2-4 7; Devin Gold 3 3-3 10; Kelly Scull 3 0-0 6; Kate Logan 1 2-2 5; Sarah Kiely 6 6-6 18; Lauren Gold 2 2-4 6; Jodi Marrazzo 0 0-0 0; Rebecca Houser 0 0-0 0; Emily Grundman 0 1-2 1; Ally Mangogna 1 0-0 2; Brittany Garvey 0 0-0 0; Steph Brennan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 16-21 55.
M: 4-5-7-20—36
CRN: 11-13-13-18—55
Three-point goals: Ruhl, Hammond (M); Fricke, D. Gold, Logan (CRN).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Arch. Wood 50, Arch. Ryan 35
Archbishop Ryan (35)
Megan Tole 4 2-2 11; Cara McArdle 0 0-0 0; Lauren Smith 1 0-0 2; Jess Koci 4 4-6 12; Sarah Strybuc 0 1-2 1; Rachel Kelly 0 0-0 0; Lauren Heisse 3 0-0 7; Kelli Jerdan 0 0-0 0; Brittany Wood 0 0-0 0; Amanda Shaw 0 0-0 0; Marissa Perez 0 0-0 0; Jacci Vandiver 1 0-0 2; Colleen Ryan 0 0-0 0; Katharine Reppert 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 7-10 35.
Archbishop Wood (50)
Jen Maxwell 0 0-0 0; Christine Verrelle 3 0-0 9; Ashley Robinson 8 6-10 22; Sam Greenfield 3 7-9 13; Jenelle Hudson 0 0-0 0; Cait McCartney 1 0-0 2; Tori Arnao 1 0-0 2; Steph Keyes 0 2-4 2; Grace Gallagher 0 0-0 0; Kelly Young 0 0-0 0; Jenna Swope 0 0-0 0; Grace Mirack 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 15-23 50.
AR: 4-13-9-9—35
AW: 6-18-15-11—50
Three-point goals: Tole, Heisse (AR); Verrelle 3 (AW).
TEN THINGS
1. Archbishop Wood (19-5) led almost the whole way. Wood opened up an eight-point lead, 16-8, midway through the second quarter and led by seven, 24-17, at halftime. Ryan (18-6) was within five points, 26-21, two minutes into the third quarter before Vikings sophomore guard Christine Verrelle hit a 3-pointer that sparked a 13-3 run over about five minutes. Wood's lead didn't get below double digits after that.
2. Wood plays Archbishop Carroll (23-1) in the Catholic League championship game on Feb. 23 at the Palestra at 6:30 p.m. Carroll beat Cardinal O'Hara, 50-42, in the other semifinal. Carroll defeated Wood during the regular season, 55-41, on Dec. 11. Carroll also beat Wood in the 2007 PCL title game in the 2008 semifinals.
3. Senior center Ashley Robinson scored 22 points. She had 14 of Wood's first 16 points over the game's first 13 minutes. Robinson injured a finger on her right hand in the final minutes and had an ice pack on her hand following the game, but insisted she was fine.
4. Verrelle made three 3-pointers for Wood, which struggled from the perimeter. Junior guard Sam Greenfield had 13 points for Wood. “We needed somebody to hit a shot and she hit some big ones,” Wood coach Jim Ricci said. “She’s really composed for a sophomore, very poised.”
5. This was Wood's 11th consecutive appearance in the PCL semifinals. Wood is now 2-9 in those games with the other win coming over O'Hara in 2007. Wood has not won a PCL championship since 1982.
6. “This is big for us to get back to where we were two years ago,” said Robinson, who was a sophomore on the Wood team that lost the 2007 PCL title game to Carroll.
7. “Two times in three years, it’s great,” said Wood coach Jim Ricci about reaching the championship game again. “It’s a very nice thing for the program. The players have worked very hard.”
8. For Ryan, forward Jess Koci scored 12 points and guard Megan Tole added 11 points.
9. Robinson picked up three quick fouls early in the fourth quarter and went to the bench with four personals. At the time, Ryan was down only 11 points and seemed to have momentum. But Wood sophomore center Tori Arnao came in and gave the Vikings some solid minutes. Sophomore Cait McCartney and Arnao scored back-to-back baskets that dashed any Ryan comeback hopes.
10. Wood has won 14 of its last 15 games.
10a. I was surprised by the Carroll win. I expected an O'Hara-Wood final. Wood is going to have to shoot much better from the perimeter to have a good chance to beat Carroll.
10b. Ryan played tough, physical defense against Wood and gave a terrific all-around effort.
Megan Tole 4 2-2 11; Cara McArdle 0 0-0 0; Lauren Smith 1 0-0 2; Jess Koci 4 4-6 12; Sarah Strybuc 0 1-2 1; Rachel Kelly 0 0-0 0; Lauren Heisse 3 0-0 7; Kelli Jerdan 0 0-0 0; Brittany Wood 0 0-0 0; Amanda Shaw 0 0-0 0; Marissa Perez 0 0-0 0; Jacci Vandiver 1 0-0 2; Colleen Ryan 0 0-0 0; Katharine Reppert 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 7-10 35.
Archbishop Wood (50)
Jen Maxwell 0 0-0 0; Christine Verrelle 3 0-0 9; Ashley Robinson 8 6-10 22; Sam Greenfield 3 7-9 13; Jenelle Hudson 0 0-0 0; Cait McCartney 1 0-0 2; Tori Arnao 1 0-0 2; Steph Keyes 0 2-4 2; Grace Gallagher 0 0-0 0; Kelly Young 0 0-0 0; Jenna Swope 0 0-0 0; Grace Mirack 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 15-23 50.
AR: 4-13-9-9—35
AW: 6-18-15-11—50
Three-point goals: Tole, Heisse (AR); Verrelle 3 (AW).
TEN THINGS
1. Archbishop Wood (19-5) led almost the whole way. Wood opened up an eight-point lead, 16-8, midway through the second quarter and led by seven, 24-17, at halftime. Ryan (18-6) was within five points, 26-21, two minutes into the third quarter before Vikings sophomore guard Christine Verrelle hit a 3-pointer that sparked a 13-3 run over about five minutes. Wood's lead didn't get below double digits after that.
2. Wood plays Archbishop Carroll (23-1) in the Catholic League championship game on Feb. 23 at the Palestra at 6:30 p.m. Carroll beat Cardinal O'Hara, 50-42, in the other semifinal. Carroll defeated Wood during the regular season, 55-41, on Dec. 11. Carroll also beat Wood in the 2007 PCL title game in the 2008 semifinals.
3. Senior center Ashley Robinson scored 22 points. She had 14 of Wood's first 16 points over the game's first 13 minutes. Robinson injured a finger on her right hand in the final minutes and had an ice pack on her hand following the game, but insisted she was fine.
4. Verrelle made three 3-pointers for Wood, which struggled from the perimeter. Junior guard Sam Greenfield had 13 points for Wood. “We needed somebody to hit a shot and she hit some big ones,” Wood coach Jim Ricci said. “She’s really composed for a sophomore, very poised.”
5. This was Wood's 11th consecutive appearance in the PCL semifinals. Wood is now 2-9 in those games with the other win coming over O'Hara in 2007. Wood has not won a PCL championship since 1982.
6. “This is big for us to get back to where we were two years ago,” said Robinson, who was a sophomore on the Wood team that lost the 2007 PCL title game to Carroll.
7. “Two times in three years, it’s great,” said Wood coach Jim Ricci about reaching the championship game again. “It’s a very nice thing for the program. The players have worked very hard.”
8. For Ryan, forward Jess Koci scored 12 points and guard Megan Tole added 11 points.
9. Robinson picked up three quick fouls early in the fourth quarter and went to the bench with four personals. At the time, Ryan was down only 11 points and seemed to have momentum. But Wood sophomore center Tori Arnao came in and gave the Vikings some solid minutes. Sophomore Cait McCartney and Arnao scored back-to-back baskets that dashed any Ryan comeback hopes.
10. Wood has won 14 of its last 15 games.
10a. I was surprised by the Carroll win. I expected an O'Hara-Wood final. Wood is going to have to shoot much better from the perimeter to have a good chance to beat Carroll.
10b. Ryan played tough, physical defense against Wood and gave a terrific all-around effort.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
D1 and PCL Predictions (Feb. 17-18)
DISTRICT ONE CLASS AAAA
No. 16 Norristown (15-8) at No. 1 Cheltenham (22-1)
Cheltenham didn't really have a huge win in the first round over William Tennent. The Panthers are a little young and inexperienced for a top seed. Nice win for the Eagles over Upper Dublin in Round 1.
Pick: Cheltenham, 58-41
No. 9 Abington (18-5) at No. 8 Henderson (19-4)
I thought the Ghosts with Emily Leer were better than a No. 9 seed, but they only beat Pennridge by 11 in the first round. Henderson needed 41 points from Shante Evans and a strong fourth quarter to down Spring-Ford by nine points in the first round.
Pick: Abington, 44-39
No. 13 Council Rock-South (15-8) at No. 4 Lower Merion (21-2)
CR-South captured the program's first-ever district tournament win in the first round. The Golden Hawks are used to playing very good teams in intense games because of the two-times-per-year rivalry games with CR-North. But Lower Merion should be able to get to the quarterfinals.
Pick: Lower Merion, 53-43
No. 12 Chester (15-6) at No. 5 Upper Darby (21-2)
Both teams won big in the first round, Chester by 21 points and Upper Darby by 26. Upper Darby didn't play an especially tough regular season schedule, but did play tough against Lower Merion in two losses.
Pick: Chester, 46-38
No. 18 Bensalem (13-9) at No. 2 Downingtown East (21-2)
The Owls played well to upset a hot North Penn team in the first round, 36-31. Senior Sharmane Hall scored nine points and guard Kate Clarkson scored 11. But the Cougars might be the best team in the district and probably should have been the top seed - power rankings aside. Their only losses all season were to Germantown Academy and Central Dauphin. Downingtown East's last two opponents scored 15 and 14 points.
Pick: Downingtown East, 41-20
No. 10 Perkiomen Valley (18-5) at No. 7 CB East (21-2)
CB East might be better than than three of the teams seeded ahead of it. Perkiomen Valley has won 17 of its last 18 games, but didn't fact top competition.
Pick: CB East, 51-39
No. 14 Methacton (14-9) at No. 3 Council Rock-North (21-2)
The Indians rolled by 50 points in the first round. Methacton had a relatively easy win, as well. Methacton, which knocked CR-North from the district tournament last year, had the second-most Schedule Points in the district's power rating system.
Pick: CR-North, 58-42
No. 11 Downingtown West (16-7) at No. 6 Great Valley (20-3)
I think this one's a toss-up. Downingtown West played the tougher schedule, but Great Valley did have some quality wins and playe Downingtown East tough.
Pick: Downingtown West, 47-46
PHILADELPHIA CATHOLIC LEAGUE
No. 3 Archbishop Carroll (22-1) vs. No. 2 Cardinal O'Hara (22-1)
Two of the state's top teams are playing the early game in the PCL semifinals at Gwynedd-Mercy College on Tuesday. O'Hara won the first meeting on Dec. 28 by 17 points, 61-44. Carroll seems to have trouble matching up with O'Hara. Expect O'Hara to win this game, but both teams to go very far in their respective state tournament brackets--O'Hara in Class AAAA and Carroll in Class AAA.
Pick: Cardinal O'Hara, 63-52
No. 1 Archbishop Wood (18-5) vs. No. 4 Archbishop Ryan (18-5)
Wood won the first meeting on Jan. 27 by six points, 50-44. Although an upset's not impossible, don't expect this one to be quite as close. Wood senior center Ashley Robinson scored 16 of Wood's 50 points in the first game, but the Vikings should get more scoring from the perimeter. One caveat, Wood needs a decent first quarter. If Ryan gets an early lead, anything can happen.
Pick: Archbishop Wood, 53-42
No. 16 Norristown (15-8) at No. 1 Cheltenham (22-1)
Cheltenham didn't really have a huge win in the first round over William Tennent. The Panthers are a little young and inexperienced for a top seed. Nice win for the Eagles over Upper Dublin in Round 1.
Pick: Cheltenham, 58-41
No. 9 Abington (18-5) at No. 8 Henderson (19-4)
I thought the Ghosts with Emily Leer were better than a No. 9 seed, but they only beat Pennridge by 11 in the first round. Henderson needed 41 points from Shante Evans and a strong fourth quarter to down Spring-Ford by nine points in the first round.
Pick: Abington, 44-39
No. 13 Council Rock-South (15-8) at No. 4 Lower Merion (21-2)
CR-South captured the program's first-ever district tournament win in the first round. The Golden Hawks are used to playing very good teams in intense games because of the two-times-per-year rivalry games with CR-North. But Lower Merion should be able to get to the quarterfinals.
Pick: Lower Merion, 53-43
No. 12 Chester (15-6) at No. 5 Upper Darby (21-2)
Both teams won big in the first round, Chester by 21 points and Upper Darby by 26. Upper Darby didn't play an especially tough regular season schedule, but did play tough against Lower Merion in two losses.
Pick: Chester, 46-38
No. 18 Bensalem (13-9) at No. 2 Downingtown East (21-2)
The Owls played well to upset a hot North Penn team in the first round, 36-31. Senior Sharmane Hall scored nine points and guard Kate Clarkson scored 11. But the Cougars might be the best team in the district and probably should have been the top seed - power rankings aside. Their only losses all season were to Germantown Academy and Central Dauphin. Downingtown East's last two opponents scored 15 and 14 points.
Pick: Downingtown East, 41-20
No. 10 Perkiomen Valley (18-5) at No. 7 CB East (21-2)
CB East might be better than than three of the teams seeded ahead of it. Perkiomen Valley has won 17 of its last 18 games, but didn't fact top competition.
Pick: CB East, 51-39
No. 14 Methacton (14-9) at No. 3 Council Rock-North (21-2)
The Indians rolled by 50 points in the first round. Methacton had a relatively easy win, as well. Methacton, which knocked CR-North from the district tournament last year, had the second-most Schedule Points in the district's power rating system.
Pick: CR-North, 58-42
No. 11 Downingtown West (16-7) at No. 6 Great Valley (20-3)
I think this one's a toss-up. Downingtown West played the tougher schedule, but Great Valley did have some quality wins and playe Downingtown East tough.
Pick: Downingtown West, 47-46
***
PHILADELPHIA CATHOLIC LEAGUE
No. 3 Archbishop Carroll (22-1) vs. No. 2 Cardinal O'Hara (22-1)
Two of the state's top teams are playing the early game in the PCL semifinals at Gwynedd-Mercy College on Tuesday. O'Hara won the first meeting on Dec. 28 by 17 points, 61-44. Carroll seems to have trouble matching up with O'Hara. Expect O'Hara to win this game, but both teams to go very far in their respective state tournament brackets--O'Hara in Class AAAA and Carroll in Class AAA.
Pick: Cardinal O'Hara, 63-52
No. 1 Archbishop Wood (18-5) vs. No. 4 Archbishop Ryan (18-5)
Wood won the first meeting on Jan. 27 by six points, 50-44. Although an upset's not impossible, don't expect this one to be quite as close. Wood senior center Ashley Robinson scored 16 of Wood's 50 points in the first game, but the Vikings should get more scoring from the perimeter. One caveat, Wood needs a decent first quarter. If Ryan gets an early lead, anything can happen.
Pick: Archbishop Wood, 53-42
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