Bonner-Prendie finally hits the wall against Wood

RADNOR — As was often the case during its postseason run, Bonner-Prendergast has demonstrated a proclivity for the dramatic under the most adverse situations.

The Pandas were following the script Saturday afternoon against Archbishop Wood in a PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal game. Alyssa Monaghan, the two-time All-Delco senior guard, missed her first seven shots and senior center Shalina Miller didn’t score a point in the first half.

If recent history was any indication, the Pandas would become stronger as the game reached its latter stages. On cue, the Pandas came out of the locker room at intermission down a bucket and wasted little time taking their first lead of the game.

It dissipated in the blink of an eye.

The slick-shooting Vikings reeled off the next 12 points in the third quarter to seize control.

Bonner-Prendie had no more crazy comebacks up its sleeve. Monaghan was limited, although the Catholic League MVP left everything on the floor in her bid to lead the Pandas to the state semifinal round. Archbishop Wood, the District 12 champion and Catholic League runner-up, was just a little too good.

The Pandas suffered a 40-31 defeat, the last girls basketball team in Delco eliminated from state playoff competition.

The loss marked the end of Monaghan’s spectacular career. She will graduate with 1,440 points in three years with the Pandas, plus her freshman year at Cardinal O’Hara. One of the greatest talents in Delaware County high school basketball history will play for Saint Joseph’s next winter.