Playing catch-up, Mullaney shines for Penncrest in win over Strath Haven
NETHER PROVIDENCE >> Kat Mullaney got a late start to her basketball season.
The Penncrest junior played a key role on the girls soccer team that fell a win short of capturing a District 1 Class 3A title in November.
“With the overlap, it was tough. You’re not allowed to play out-of-season sports, so I ended up missing all of the open gyms and practices,” Mullaney said. “I don’t think that I fell behind as much, but I did feel like I was missing out.”
Coach Bob Higgins was happy to have Mullaney back after the soccer team’s was ousted in the first round of the state tournament.
Friday night, Mullaney showed why she is an important member to the basketball squad. She scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and made three steals in Penncrest’s 42-31 victory over Strath Haven. The Lions have won three straight games to begin the season.
Mullaney exhibited great athleticism on defense and running the floor, even though she needed some time to get adjusted. Mullaney struggled in the first quarter handling Strath Haven’s defensive pressure.
“I always feel pretty comfortable with the press and breaking it, so I don’t know what it was,” she said. “I got a little frazzled at first, but it was fine. Later on, I sort of snapped out of it.”
Driven to redeem herself, Mullaney took action in the second quarter. She had two steals and a pair of assists on the Lions’ only field goals of the period. But she did most of her damage from the free-throw line, where she connected on six straight shots.
“I rely on them for most of my points,” she said. “Maybe I’m not the greatest shooting them, but I do work (on getting to the line).”
With Mullaney showing the way, the Lions (3-0, 2-0) were able to take a commanding 19-9 advantage into halftime. Penncrest forced 14 Strath Haven turnovers and shot 11 of 12 from the free-throw line in the opening half.
“There are times when, if we’re not in the press or not jumping out on teams, we lose some on the offensive end.” Higgins said. “They need that energy. We have good athletes playing basketball here,, so we try and play uptempo and that plays to our advantage at times. As long as everyone gets back on defense, and we’re not giving up layups, life is good for us.”
Junior forward Grace Harding scored a game-high 13 points to go with six rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. Megan Arndt, a sophomore two-year starter, excelled when the Lions were able to run. She added eight points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“I feel like I have some experience from last year, but I have a lot to learn,” Arndt said. “I have the upperclassmen who have helped guide me along as well,”
Arndt can dribble, drive and shoot. She’ll fight for rebounds and play the low post.
“I think you have to be able to do a little bit of everything,” Arndt said. “So that’s what I try to do.”
Versatility is Arndt’s game.
“Megan’s not the tallest one out there,” added Mullaney, “but she can get just about go anywhere on the court. She has a big role in being very well-rounded.”
The Lions scored on the break often. When the shots didn’t go in, they were able to get second chances thanks to their work on the glass.
“The fastbreak is definitely one of our main scoring points,” Mullaney said. “I usually just dribble up and someone is always cutting to the basket, someone is always there. When we’re doing it well, nobody can catch up with it.”
The Lions are looking to build on an 11-win season that ended with a district playoff appearance.
“I think we have the potential,” Mullaney said. “We beat Haverford and Radnor last year, and I think those were big upsets. We won 11 games, went to the playoffs and then we met up with North Penn. That wasn’t a great experience, it was very eye-opening. You realize there are great teams like North Penn out there. We were on such a good run and then we got there and it was bad the way it ended. But at least we know what to expect this year.”
Margot Hotham, Morgan Crain and Cayden Frazier led Strath Haven (1-1, 1-1) with six points apiece.
In other Central League action:
Springfield 45, Marple Newtown 36 >> Maggie O’Connell paced the Cougars (3-1, 1-1) with 13 points and made three 3-point shots. Erica Biehl had a solid all-around game with eight points, six rebounds and five steals, while Amanda Hopkins added 10 points.
Natalie Ayoub tossed in a game-high 15 points to lead the Tigers. Olivia Young and Devon Adams each chipped in with eight.
Garnet Valley 72, Lower Merion 47 >> Emily McAteer had a huge night with 24 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and two steals to power the Jaguars (2-0, 2-0). Sydney Fail dumped in 14 points and Brianne Borcky had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Haverford 54, Upper Darby 28 >> Erin Doherty led a balanced attack for the Fords (2-2) with 12 points.
Emma Blewett netted 12 points and Cherry Agosto grabbed eight rebounds for the Royals (0-3).
Conestoga 40, Ridley 33 >> The Green Raiders probably wish they could replay the third quarter. Trailing by a point at halftime, they were outscored in the third stanza, 16-7, and couldn’t recover. Izzy Hamlin led Ridley (0-4) in scoring with 12 points.
