Shanahan, Rustin elite teams in Ches-Mont
Over the course of the girls basketball season, two teams have seperated themselves from the rest of the pack in the Ches-Mont League.
West Chester Rustin and Bishop Shanahan.
Rustin was expected to be the favorites to win its third consecutive league championship, but struggled out of the gate with an 0-3 start.
Since a 69-52 loss to Cardinal O’Hara on December 9, the Golden Knights have won 12-of-13 games and established themselves as one of the elite teams in District 1.
Rustin has convincing wins over Mount St. Joseph’s and Garnet Valley, two teams ranked in the top five of the District 1 Class AAAA power rankings with only one loss on the season, to the Golden Knights.
The margin of victory during Rustin’s streak is 22.9 points a game. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the district has the Golden Knights set to make a Ches-Mont and district championship run.
Bishop Shanahan was expected to take its program to the next level under the second-year tutelage of head coach Fran Burbidge, but the Eagles have taken a step above those expectations.
A 15-1 start speaks for itself, but Shanahan has become the top team in the National Division with an unbeaten record in league play, including a season sweep of Downingtown East, the defending National Division champions.
The Eagles lone loss came in overtime to Marple-Newtown in the championship game of the Marple-Newtown tournament in December. Since the loss, Shanahan has played its best basketball of the season. The Eagles are on a seven-game winning streak with a margain of victory of 11.7 points a game.
Shanahan is in full-command of the National Division as the Eagles have a two-game lead on Downingtown East with four to play. West Chester Rustin has a two-game lead over Sun Valley and Unionville in the American with four to play as well.
Both teams seem to be on a collision course to meet at some point in the season. Whether that meeting is in the Ches-Mont or district playoffs, the game will be a treat for all girls basketball fans in the area.
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The initial District 1 Class AAAA power rankings were released Tuesday and several area teams would qualify if the tournament started today.
Bishop Shanahan is the highest Ches-Mont team ranked at No. 6. West Chester Rustin came in at No. 10, but should move up with wins over Mount St. Joseph’s (No. 3) and Garnet Valley (No. 4).
Coatesville is No. 19, but two wins were not calculated in the rankings. Unionville’s win over Interboro was not included as well. The Indians came in ranked at No. 24.
Downingtown East is ranked No. 22 despite losing twice in its last four games. Conestoga is just above the cutoff line at No. 31.
The top-32 teams make the district playoffs.
Currently on the outside looking in, but still have an opportunity to make it are Downingtown West (No. 34), West Chester Henderson (No. 40) and Great Valley (No. 42).
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In the initial District 1 Class AAA rankings, Sun Valley entered at No. 3 while Villa Maria was seeded No. 7.
Despite its 6-9 record, the Hurricanes don’t seem to be in danger of missing the district playoffs.
District 1 Class AAA takes the top eight teams and the No. 9 seed, Villa Joseph Marie, is 3-10 and has suffered a loss to Villa Maria two weeks ago.
Villa Maria should have the opportunity to win its fifth consecutive title, but the road will be harder than most years with Pope John Paul II and Sun Valley as the favorites in the bracket.
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FREE THROWS — Ciara Forde scored a game-high 21 points in Shanahan’s win over Agnes Irwin in Blue Chip Showcase at Cabrini College Sunday. Forde has a knack for big games in showcase events. She scored 22 points in a win over Lansdale Catholic at the Archbishop Carroll showcase in December… After scoring 17 points in a win over Kennett, Katie O’Hare is averaging 15.2 points over her last five games for Rustin… Aryah Aungst had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists in Downingtown East’s win over Downingtown West Tuesday. Aungst also held West shapshooter Maddie Dew to nine points in the win.
KEY GAMES THIS WEEK — Bishop Shanahan at Coatesville (tonight, 7:15 p.m.); West Chester Henderson at Downingtown West (tonight, 7:15 p.m.); Bishop Shanahan at Unionville (Friday, 7:15 p.m.); West Chester Rustin vs. St. Francis Academy in Blue Chip Basketball Super Showcase (Saturday, 5 p.m. at Spring-Ford H.S.); Bishop Shanahan vs. Academy of Notre Dame in Blue Chip Basketball Super Showcase (Sunday, 2:30 p.m. at Spring-Ford H.S.); Conestoga at Downingtown West (Monday, 7:15 p.m.); Unionville at Downingtown East (Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.); Great Valley at Sun Valley (Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.).
ON THE COURT — “On the Court’ is a weekly profile of one of the girls basketball players in Chester County. This week the Daily Local News takes a look at West Chester Rustin guard Emily Walls.
What’s your favorite high school basketball memory?
We do this thing called quote of the week. Kristen Hoy was sprinting and tripped. She completely fell and our response was “Hey Springfield, watch that line!’ That happened two years ago. All of us were laughing and couldn’t control ourselves. Every time someone trips we yell “Don’t pull a Springfield!’
Favorite part about high school?
The whole experience. Growing up and getting to where you’re going to go to college. I like everything about high school. It’s a lot of fun.
Least favorite part about high school?
The work. That sucks.
Most athletes seem to have a pregame ritual before a game. What’s yours?
I just make sure I stretch. Of course, I have to listen to some sort of techno music. That’s my thing.
If you had to pick music before a game, what would you listen to?
Obviously techno or country. Florida-Georgia Line for country and Diplo or Avicii for techno.
Same question, but movie?
I watch too many movies. It’s really bad, but have to go with Remember the Titans. It’s a classic.
If there’s a movie about head coach Colette Dugan, who would play her?
The blonde actress (Joanne Baron) in “This is 40.’ Coach Dugan looks just like her. She’s sarcastic like coach Dugan and just a bit taller.
Jeff Kerr’s Top-10 Rankings (Week 7)
1. Bishop Shanahan (15-1): Huge win over Downingtown East to take commanding lead in Ches-Mont National Division. Travel to Coatesville tonight in game that could determine division title.
2. West Chester Rustin (12-4): Golden Knights have won 12-of-13 to take two-game lead in American with four to play. Head to second-place Sun Valley tonight and face St. Frances in Spring-Ford showcase Saturday.
3. Unionville (11-4): Indians win biggest game of season over Sun Valley to force tie for second-place in Ches-Mont American. Biggest week of year coming up with hosting Shanahan and Downingtown East in nonleague play.
4. Coatesville (13-3): Strong wins over Great Valley and Avon Grove this past week extend Red Raiders’ winning streak to five games. Host division-leading Shanahan in biggest game of season tonight.
5. Downingtown East (10-5): Avenged loss to Shanahan with home win over crosstown rival Downingtown West Tuesday to remain in second-place of Ches-Mont National. Host Unionville Tuesday in game that should determine division seeding.
6. Conestoga (7-6): Win over Strath Haven puts Pioneers above 32-team cutline in District 1 Class AAAA playoff race. Travel to Downingtown West in crucial nonleague game Monday.
7. Downingtown West (8-7): Lost two straight to fall out of District 1 Class AAAA tournament field in initial power rankings. Whippets host West Chester Henderson, Conestoga and Coatesville in crucial stretch.
8. Villa Maria (6-9): Lost three straight to fall to season low three games under .500. Close out the season with five of last six games at home.
9. West Chester Henderson (8-9): Warriors lost two straight games to fall under .500 for first time since December 18. Travel to Downingtown West and West Chester East this week.
10. Great Valley (7-9): Patriots staying in Ches-Mont American race despite injuries and illness with win over Oxford Tuesday. Host Kennett and travel to Sun Valley this week as team still has outside shot at district berth.
