Shipley girls’ basketball team savors Friends’ Schools League title

Philadelphia >> Shipley School seniors Anna Camden, Lauren Ross, Elizabeth Talluto, Kate Scutt and Jasmyne Nkala had accomplished almost everything one could dream throughout their career as leaders of the Gators girls’ basketball team.

Over the past four years, the Shipley girls’ basketball team has won back-to-back PAISAA (Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association) titles in three trips to the PAISAA finals; and one trip to the FSL finals along with Camden and Ross both joining the elite 1,000-point club.

Heading into the Friends’ Schools League final held at LaSalle University’s Tom Gola Arena Feb. 8, the only title the quintet had not won was an FSL title. After a shaky first half, Shipley came together and rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to earn a hard fought 40-34 win and give the Gators their first FSL title since 2014.

“I honestly might go home and sleep with this plaque,” said a smiling Ross firmly holding the FSL first-place plaque. “This means so much. This senior class tried to make all of the history Shipley could allow and this was the one thing we couldn’t do for so long so I am just holding on tight.”

“I think we really came together as a team this year and to get the Friends’ League title with all of the team effort I am really glad we won,” said Elizabeth Talluto.

“It means everything to win this title especially with these three standing next to me,” said Camden, referring to fellow seniors Lauren Ross, Elizabeth Talluto and Kate Scutt.

Things did not look good for the first 16 minutes for top-seeded Shipley with the second-seeded Abington Friends Kangaroos playing stifling defense holding the Gators to just 11 points.
With the Gators determined not to fall short of their goal, Anna Camden hit two key three-pointers to draw Shipley within three at 23-20 before Ross hit one of two free throws and a driving lay-up to know the score at 23-23.

Holding a slim 32-30 lead late in the fourth quarter after Sanaa Redmond hit two of three foul shots it was Kate Scutt, who grabbed a huge rebound and hit a big put back to give Shipley a 34-30 lead and one they would not relinquish.

“Whenever there is a big shot to be made it seems like Kate [Scutt] is always there,” said Ross. “I am just glad she had the confidence to grab the rebound and put the shot back up.”

Despite struggling in the first half, the Gators did best what they have done best the past four years – stick together and stay calm.

By sticking to their game plan, the offensive leaders (Ross, Camden and Sanaa Redmond) took over in the second half after their defensive leaders (Talluto and Scutt) did what they do best to make it possible.

“This title means a lot,” said Kate Scutt, who grabbed nine rebounds with five rebounds coming in the first half to help keep her team within striking distance. “While rebounds matter scoring also matters so it’s great that it was total team effort.”

Camden, who finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three blocks said, “Tonight’s game just shows what we have been through the past four years and this was our last chance and we had to leave everything on the court,”