Sorokanych, Falcone come off the bench to lead Garnet Valley past Radnor
RADNOR >> Garnet Valley junior forward Maddy Sorokanych and sophomore guard Morgan Falcone share similar views about their roles on the team.
They embrace their responsibilities on the Jaguars, the No. 3 team in Delco and winners of three straight Central League titles.
“We know that we have a good, solid starting five,” Falcone said, “But in a game like this, it gives us a good opportunity to come in and show what we have.”
Without the strong contributions of Sorokanych and Falcone, Garnet Valley may have had a difficult time defeating Radnor Thursday night, 54-45. The loss for Radnor snapped its seven-game winning streak.
GV coach Joe Woods beckoned for Sorokanych and Falcone in the first quarter. With guard Nicole Barnes and forward Sydney Fail plagued by foul trouble, Sorkanych and Falcone gave the Jags a boost off the bench.
Sorkanych started the second quarter and quickly racked up some impressive numbers: four points, five rebounds and one steal over the eight minutes leading into halftime. She finished the night with six points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
“The coaches always say to be ready,” Sorokanych said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to get to play with everyone, to help out the best we can.”
Falcone scored a career-high 11 points on 4 of 7 shooting. She had two assists, a steal and connected on three foul shots down the stretch to help the Jags (11-0, 8-0) clinch their 11th win in a row.
Afterward, each player felt as though she was a big part of the team, and deservedly so.
“Especially against a good team and it was a close game, yeah, it really made us feel good,” Falcone said.
Sorokanych and Falcone have a keen eye when they’re on the bench. They study their teammates’ every movement and are ready on a second’s notice.
“I watch all the positions, especially (sophomore forward) Bri (Borcky) and Syd. Sometimes I’ll play the wing instead of the middle, so it’s good to know all the positions,” Sorokanych said.
Sorokanych ultimately scored the basket that put the Jaguars ahead to stay in the second quarter. The Jags parlayed a 12-0 run into an 11-point lead at the break.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” said Radnor senior guard Nicole Massimino, who scored 16 points. “I think we had a slow second quarter which kind of put us down. I mean, they’re big and strong and I think we were all happy to be able to play hard and stay with them for a decent amount of time.”
Radnor used a 7-0 burst in the third quarter to stay within striking distance. Grayson Begier canned a 3-pointer to cut the Raiders’ deficit to eight.
In the fourth quarter, the Raiders (7-3, 4-1) got within six when Allison Lanzone hit a pair of free throws, but Falcone answered with an and-1 play to extend the Jags’ lead to nine with 2:18 to play.
GV’s sophomore twin towers were difference makers in this one. Borcky put forth an excellent all-around game with seven points and team highs in rebounds (nine) and assists (six). Meanwhile, Emily McAteer netted a game-high 17 points to go with seven rebounds, a block and a steal.
Ultimately, though, it was the efforts of Sorkancyh and Falcone that pushed the Jags over the top.
“The starting five wasn’t making all of our shots, so we needed the extra players to come in. They did a great job,” Borcky said. “Me and Maddy always work on our post moves in practice,” Sorokanych said. “I throw the ball inside and she knows how to take it in. And then Morgan gets the shots when we really need it. It really helped us tonight.”
Lanzone had 11 points and freshman Ellie Mueller registered five points, nine rebounds and three steals for the Raiders.
In other Central League action:
Haverford 35, Marple Newtown 27 >> Lindsay Lane had a big night off the bench with eight points and 15 rebounds for the Fords (5-8, 3-5). Erin Doherty scored eight points in the win.
Olivia Young led the Tigers with nine points.
Springfield 53, Lower Merion 42 >> Jordan D’Ambrosio poured in 25 points and was 8-for-11 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter as the Cougars (11-1, 7-1) won their ninth straight. Belle Mastropietro added 10 points for the Cougars.
Ridley 47, Penncrest 34 >> Izzy Hamlin paced the Raiders (5-7) with 21 points, while Dana D’Ambrosio chipped in with 10. Grace Harding netted a team-high 12 points for the Lions, who have dropped five straight decisions.
Harriton 67, Upper Darby 27 >> Emma Blewett scored 10 points for the Royals, who remain in search of their first victory.
Conestoga 39, Strath Haven 26 >> Olivia Fender netted a team-high 12 points for the Panthers.
