After state final loss, Cardinal O’Hara primed for next step
Cardinal O’Hara was one win from capturing its first PIAA championship last March.
The No. 1 team in Delaware County throughout the season, the Lions met their fate against Cumberland Valley at Hershey Arena in the PIAA Class 4A final.
The Lions fully expect to make another deep run in states this season. They have all of the pieces for a comeback.
One of the most talented programs in Pennsylvania, honed under the tutelage of legendary coach Linus McGinty, includes four Division I players:2015-16 Daily Times Player of the Year Hannah Nihill (senior guard, Drexel), Mary Sheehan (senior guard/forward, Saint Joseph’s), Kenzie Gardler (junior guard, Villanova) and Maura Hendrixson (junior guard, Drexel). The Lions are in Class 6A of the new PIAA classification system.
The Catholic League is arguably the toughest high school conference in the state. Reigning champion Archbishop Wood, Neumann-Goretti and O’Hara are the top contenders this season.
Elsewhere, Archbishop Carroll will be coached by Saint Joseph’s University great Renie Shields, a longtime assistant for the Patriots. Shields takes the helm on an interim basis after Tom Nerney, who was hired for the position prior to last season, resigned in the fall. Nerney guided the Patriots to an 11-14 mark in his lone season.
The Patriots have a talented core led by Bella Sorrentino (senior guard) and Molly Masciantonio (junior guard), who were the team’s leading scorers a year ago. Carroll will chase a state title in Class 5A.
Tom Stewart is back for his 23rd season on the bench at Bonner & Prendergast. Seniors Maggie McPeak (guard) and Caroline Manfre (forward), junior Nyah Garrison (guard/forward) and sophomore Maeve McCann (guard) have the Pandas trending in the right direction following a 14-11 campaign.
Prendie will compete in the Class 4A division.
“The return of four starters will definitely help as we begin the season. We also have a number of incoming players who should have an immediate impact as the season begins,” Stewart said. “The success of our season depends on how strong a defensive team we become as the season goes along.”
Inter-Ac League
Episcopal Academy has the potential for a banner season with a nucleus including 6-2 senior forward Elodie Furey, senior guard Reilly Wright and 5-10 juniors Luca Mamula, Seanna McNamara and Katie Weaver.
The Churchwomen look to build upon a 15-9 campaign and make a run at the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association title.
Of course, that won’t be easy playing in an Inter-Ac League that boasts reigning champion Germantown Academy and Academy of the Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, veteran coach Mary Beth McNichol, who was inducted into the Delco Athletes Hall of Fame in April, has high hopes for sophomore guard Mandy McGurk and senior guard Casey Walsh. Despite the losses of Caitlyn Clark (Washington College), Alex Kane (Franklin & Marshall) and Rachel Ryan (Salisbury), McNichol believes the Irish can compete for the Inter-Ac title coming off a 19-7 campaign.
“We lost a talented class, but we feel that we have the pieces to be a good team,” McNichol said.
Agnes Irwin is starting fresh with new coach Paul Capodanno, who has eight years of high school coaching experience. The Owls went 10-18 in 2015-16.
“We have a group of talented underclassmen,” he said. “They have a bright future ahead.”
