Late rally pushes Garnet Valley past Harriton in Central League semis

HAVERFORD >> The two-time defending Central League champions certainly didn’t look the part after 16 minutes.

Down five at the half and slugging their way through possessions, the Garnet Valley Jaguars came out in the second half a different team. Eventually, the scoreboard reflected that in their 48-40 victory over Harriton in the league semifinals Saturday at Haverford High.

Garnet Valley will defend its title against Springfield, the other semifinal winner and the lone team to beat the Jaguars in league play this year. But don’t even mention that information to Jaguars coach Joe Woods.

“I’m not looking for revenge,” he explained. “It’s two good teams.”

Garnet Valley was down 18-13 at the break, and despite improved play, trailed 32-29 after the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the tide turned. There, it outscored Harriton 19-8 and won the game. Emily McAteer had a game-high 19 points, including two free throws to even the count at 36 with four minutes to go. Maddie Ireland’s field goal one possession later gave Garnet Valley the lead.

It would never give it back. Wood credited that to his bench, which had to step up due to injury and foul trouble.

“Bench (came through) quite a bit, plus we had kids come off the bench and that really gave us quality minutes,” Wood said.

Pesky Harriton hung around, keeping the game at one possession and giving itself several chances to tie or take the lead. But missed opportunities and poor free throw shooting — the Rams were 12-of-27 from the line — did them in.

Ireland, who had 10 points, had six free throws late in the game to keep her team in front. McAteer had four of her own to help push a three-point game to eight. The key for the Jaguars was just getting that advantage .

“Definitely,” Ireland explained. “Once we got ahead, it was a lot more relaxed.”

Now, Garnet Valley gets its chance to pay back Springfield. Woods played it down, but Ireland was eager for another crack.

“It’s really exciting,” she said of winning. “We really want another shot against Springfield.”

The Cougars won that first meeting, 49-37, at home back in December. The Jaguars’ lone loss since then was a non-league clash with North Penn. Currently sitting at fifth in the latest (unofficial) District One Class AAAA power rankings, the Jaguars’ season won’t be made with this game.

Woods has been down this road before. He knows the target is on his team’s back. It always is.

“Everybody brings their best game against us,” he explained.