North Penn earns runner-up honors at Pennsylvania Girls Water Polo State Tournament

TOWAMENCIN >> The North Penn girls water polo team fell 10-5 to rival Wilson Saturday night in the state final, but the Knights will remember 2022 as a season defined by overcoming challenges.

“I think we put up a great fight,” said senior Brenna Mancini, in a packed and frenzied Rick Carroll Natatorium. “Even though we didn’t fully rally at the end, we did end on a great note.”

North Penn had advanced to the final by winning a thriller over Wissahickon, 10-8, and the Knights also had an impressive 11-6 win over Cumberland Valley.

It was a weekend filled with accolades for local squads, including North Penn, which saw Mancini and teammate Anna Evans garner First-Team All-State honors.

“Anna got First Team last year and I knew she would get it again – she’s a fantastic player,” Mancini said. “Getting First Team was a really nice way to end my senior season.”

The Knights hung tough with Wilson throughout the first half, taking a 1-0 lead early and battling to a 2-2 draw after one quarter.

Wilson led 5-3 at the half.

The third quarter is when the Bulldogs made their move, with Morgan Valariano and Bella Shannon – each First-Team All-State selections – leading the charge. Wilson went on a 3-1 tear to lead 8-4 going into the fourth.

North Penn and Wilson have battled back and forth over the years, meeting several times in the state’s climactic contest.

Also from the area, coach Jacob Grant earned Co-Coach of the Year honors for the second year in a row, guiding Pennridge to No. 3 in the state. The Rams won a tough battle, 12-7,  with rival Wiss in the Third-Place Game.

The Rams’ Adi Garges and Ally Ricciardi earned distinction, landing spots on the All-State First Team. Wissahickon’s Maddie Johnson also earned First-Team All-State honors, leading the Trojans to another fine season.

Upper Dublin capped a tremendous 2022 by defeating Cumberland Valley 12-10 in the Seventh-Place Game.