Nihill’s spirit springs from her sister
MARPLE >> Cardinal O’Hara All-Delco Hannah Nihill doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.
Her little sister and biggest fan, Sydney, is battling cancer. From the top row of the bleachers, the 11-year-old cheered for her big sis Friday night as O’Hara defeated Bonner & Prendergast, 61-27.
The O’Hara Mini-THON committee sold yellow awareness t-shirts that read “Go Lions! Beat Cancer!” and collected donations at the door.
It would have been easy for the junior Nihill to get caught up in the moment as the Lions faced their neighborhood rivals.
“It really means a lot,” Nihill said. “It was so nice of them. Everyone around me and my family has been so supportive, helping out as much as they can. Everyone has been really great to us.”
Little Sydney is in the eye of the storm in her fight against leukemia. She was in high spirits … and even got to interview for the newspaper.
When asked if she will ever be better than her sister at basketball, Sydney exclaimed, “No way!”
“She is crazy and so energetic,” Nihill said. “She’s a fighter.”
Nihill was excellent Friday. The Drexel-bound guard went for 16 points. five assists, four rebounds and three steals. After missing her first shot from the floor, Nihill was 7-for-7 the rest of the way.
“Every game, I play for my sister,” Nihill said. “I know what she’s going through and I just try to do my best for her.”
Friday’s matchup was not a repeat of the Prendie-O’Hara thrillers of recent seasons. Not even close. In attendance was 2015 Daily Times Player of the Year Alyssa Monaghan, who had arguably her greatest high school game just a year ago against O’Hara. Monaghan, a three-time All-Delco, is starting as a freshman at St. Joseph’s.
O’Hara (15-2), the No. 1 team in Delaware County, jumped out to an 11-0 lead against the Pandas (13-6), who were missing key starter Nyah Garrison due to injury. It may not have mattered — the Lions executed their offense with textbook precision the entire night, shooting a crisp 26 of 48 from the field. They held a 19-4 advantage after eight minutes. Kenzie Gardler (12 points) drilled a 3-pointer as time expired and the Lions went on a 10-0 run to close the second period, taking a 34-11 lead into the locker room.
“The atmosphere in the gym was there. We know this is always a big game,” Nihill said. “We always know that everyone from the neighborhood is going to come out and watch. It’s always so much fun playing them.”
In addition to Nihill and Gardler, All-Delco Mary Sheehan (12 points) scored in double figures for the Lions, who racked up 16 assists. Maura Hendrixson had a stellar floor game with seven points, four rebounds, seven assists and one block.
And the O’Hara reserves also had their chance to shine. Lauren Leicht (two points, two rebounds) earned the start again for the injured Molly Paolino, but Bridgette Hoy and Emily Helms have also thrived in the sophomore’s absence. Hoy hit a buzzer-beater from beyond the arc at the end of the third quarter. The junior is excited for the opportunity to have an increased role in coach Linus McGinty’s rotation.
“We knew we had to step up after Molly got hurt and got excited for the chance,” Hoy said. “We know that she is such a big part of our team. We’re just trying to fill her position and do what we can to live up to what she did.”
Hoy’s confidence grows when she is able to contribute on the scoreboard, as was the case Friday.
“It helps me out a lot, definitely,” she said. “It also shows that we’re all working together, even though the lineup is changed for now. As long as we’re working together and winning, it’s all good.”
Maggie McPeak was the top offensive performer for the Pandas, scoring eight points while handing out two assists.
Elsewhere in the Catholic League:
Archbishop Wood 45, Archbishop Carroll 21 >> The Patriots had no answer for Wood senior Bailey Greenberg, who dumped in 21 points. Molly Masciantonio scored a team-high eight points for Carroll.
