Girls Basketball: Notre Dame has eye on Inter-Ac title
Academy of Notre Dame should be a contender for the Inter-Ac League title following a third-place finish last season.
The Irish enjoyed 19-8 record and advanced to the semifinal round of the independent schools tournament.
All-Delco Maeve McErlane is one of the best players in Delco. The junior combo guard averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She is flanked by senior guard Izzy Casale and junior guard Julia Dever. Sophomore center Katie Halligan started every game as a freshman, averaging 7.4 points and 7.7 rebounds.
“We have several exciting freshmen to add to a squad that was young last year but gained a tremendous amount of experience,” said third-year coach Lauren Power (formerly Thomer). “Our biggest challenge will be our players adapting to new or increased roles. Once again, we are small but mighty.”
Episcopal Academy won 11 of its final 19 games after beginning the 2019-20 campaign with four straight losses.
Longtime coach Chuck Simmonds expects more growth from this year’s team. The Churchwomen are led by senior co-captains Allie Bush, Caroline McGreary and Allie Sillo. Juniors Riley Cassidy, Bella Piselli and Amanda Purcell, and sophomore Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf are returning starters.
“The girls have been working hard at practice, supporting each other and building a good pace that will hopefully translate quickly into the abbreviated schedule,” Simmonds said.
Episcopal and Notre Dame play Saturday afternoon.
Agnes Irwin hopes to take the next step in building a competitive program.
While the Owls will miss 1,000-point scorer Katie Anderson, they have a lot of potential led by juniors Belle Fusco, Paige Crowther and Caroline Vauclain.
Delco’s Inter-Ac programs will contend with perennial champion Germantown Academy, which had its 46-game league winning streak broken this week by Penn Charter. GA hadn’t lost an Inter-Ac contest since a 56-49 setback to Episcopal on Dec. 13, 2016.
Bicentennial League
Delco Christian aims to build upon a five-win season under second-year coach Stephen Poyser.
Senior guard Emily Smith was the team’s leading scorer in 2020. Junior Caitlyn Gorneau was the Knights’ best rebounder and second-leading scorer. Sophomore guard Sarah Stahl had a strong freshman debut, leading the team in assists.
“Having only one senior on the roster, we will again be a young team. Last season was a step in the right direction as the team had 2 wins in 2018-2019,” Poyser said. “We lost no seniors to graduation … and we return everyone who played significant minutes last year. Additionally, we have added depth with five freshmen and one transfer. There are currently 15 players on the roster after having only 7 available at times last season. We will also have more size with two additional post players and have added more shooting.”
Catholic Academies
Sacred Heart Academy is looking to win its fifth consecutive District 1 Class 2A championship. But first it will endure the rigors of a difficult league schedule.
The Lions made a run to the second round of the state tourney and finished 11-15 overall under longtime coach Zach Shuler.
“It will be a challenge after graduating point guard Kayleigh Doyle, center Carina Fichera and shooting guard Amanda Heilmann,” Shuler said. “Returning starters Ainsley Davis and Kathryn Gallagher are ready to help lead the team to a deep postseason run once again. Sophomore Emily McKenna will fill the void at center and the speedy ML Franz will play the point. Bella O’Toole looks to provide additional scoring at the guard position.”
