Downingtown East faces red-hot Rustin for Ches-Mont title
West Chester Rustin and Downingtown East not only have been two of the best teams in the Ches-Mont League this season, they have been among the top squads in District 1.
They will tangle tonight at West Chester University for the Ches-Mont League girls basketball championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hollinger Fieldhouse and will be broadcast live on WCHE (95.3) radio.
“I think it will be a very good matchup,” said Downingtown East senior Lauren Kent. “They have some really good girls that we’ve scouted. They have some similarities to us and I am excited to play them.”
The Golden Knights (18-4), the American Division champion, reached the final after turning back Bishop Shanahan, 51-35. Rustin’s star, junior Laine McGurk, rebounded from a scoreless first half with 12 points in the third quarter and 18 overall. Sophomore Riley Stackhouse had a critical 13 points in the second quarter.
“It’s exciting to be here,” said McGurk. “Downingtown East is a great team and we’ll have to be ready.”
The Cougars (17-4) shook off a slow start and thumped Great Valley, 48-36, in the other semifinal. Kent led the way with 19 points and Ari Smuda added 13.
East will be attempting to capture its third league championship in four years. They won in 2019 and 2020, but the tournament was canceled last season due to COVID-19.
The Cougars have righted the ship after a late-season slump that saw them lose to Avon Grove and Bishop Shanahan.
“Credit to the players and staff,” said D-East coach Darren Domsohn. “They didn’t point fingers. Our motto is ‘Always Us.’ It’s always about us and how we are a family.”
The Cougars have won three in a row since that period, with a total combined margin of 121-98.
It will definitely be a game of different styles. East will try to hurt Rustin on the inside, with Kent and Smuda expected to do most of the damage. Rustin will look to push the ball in transition and force turnovers.
“Rustin’s got that next-level player in McGurk. If they can get out in the open and beat East down the court, they can be a handful,” said Great Valley coach Alex Venarchik. “It’s going to be interesting – two contrasting styles.”
Rustin has won seven in a row since falling to Neshaminy on Jan. 23.
An underrated aspect of the Golden Knights’ season has been their defense. They have allowed more than 40 points only once in their last 13 games. They have proven they are more than just McGurk with Stackhouse, Laney Costin and Elizabeth McGurk providing key contributions on both the offensive and defensive ends.
But, the most attention is focused on Laine McGurk, who can get anywhere she wants on the court to get her shot off. As she proved against Shanahan, McGurk can score in bunches.
“She is a phenomenal player,”said Domsohn. “She does a lot of things to get her teammates involved and they are good defensively.”
Following the championship, both teams will look forward to the PIAA District 1 Class 6A tournament. Rustin is seeded sixth and East is eighth. Both will have first-round byes.
“I think that having both teams in the top 10 speaks well for the Ches-Mont as a whole, not just us or Rustin,” said Domsohn.
