![Cardinal O'Hara senior Greta Miller celebrates upon receiving her championship medal after the PIAA Class 6A championship game Friday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. (Austin Hertzog - MediaNews Group) Cardinal O'Hara senior Greta Miller celebrates upon receiving her championship medal after the PIAA Class 6A championship game Friday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. (Austin Hertzog - MediaNews Group)](https://www.delcotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0111.jpg?w=525)
Loading your audio article
HERSHEY — Greta Miller’s contributions to Cardinal O’Hara’s 2023-24 season cannot be measured by the markings that appear next to her name in the scorebook.
She didn’t score 20 points per game and she wasn’t the player opposing teams planned for when facing the Lions. The senior guard made her impact with textbook defense and rebounding.
She scored from time to time, and was never afraid to take her shot even when going through a cold spell. Coming into the PIAA Class 6A final against Spring-Ford, Miller had played two straight games without scoring a point.
But Miller had one more big shot left in her Friday at the Giant Center, swishing a 3-point field goal in the third quarter after Spring-Ford had rallied to close the gap to six points. It was an offensive rebound by Miller that led to her clutch basket.
When O’Hara needed someone to make a play, Miller answered the call. The Lions never looked back, ending the game on an 18-8 run en route to a 42-26 victory over the Rams, earning O’Hara’s third state title in four years.
“I know we had to be patient and not get too anxious. We didn’t play our best game and, when they were coming back, we knew we had to play smart,” Miller said. “We all believed that we could do this, that we were going to win.”
With heart and hustle Miller played a key role in the Lions’ capture of the Class 6A championship. Miller and fellow seniors Quinn, Carly Coleman and Sophia Stellabotte were on all three winning state title teams at O’Hara. The Lions had captured the Class 5A trophies in 2021 and 2022.
They didn’t make it particularly easy on themselves Friday night, missing a slew of easy baskets and allowing the Rams to hang around, even though it was clear the Lions were the better team. Miller’s triple was the boost the Lions desperately needed.
“She is the glue,” Quinn said. “Without her, I don’t know where we would be. Her defense is so good. She might be the shortest player on the court, but she’s one of the top rebounders on the team. With the way that she always boxes out and plays hard all the time, she is amazing to watch.”
Miller had another big offensive rebound in the fourth quarter. The Lions had yet to score a point and held on to a 30-23 lead when Miller corralled a floor board on a missed shot by Coleman.
Miller’s willingness to do the dirty work during a game when both teams couldn’t seem to buy a shot at various stages was critical to O’Hara becoming the second team from Delaware County to win three PIAA titles.
“When Greta hit the 3 and Joanie had the three-point play at the end of the third quarter, those two plays were huge. And that’s what Greta does. I think she might be the most excited kid right now in that locker room,” coach Chrissie Doogan said. “She actually started here two years ago – I don’t know how many people remember that – as a sophomore. She has embraced her role. You don’t have to take her off the floor; she doesn’t get tired, and she can defend any sized guard. I thought (Aaliyah) Solliday was the x-factor for them coming into this game, and when we put Greta on her she shut her down and did a really nice job.”
Quinn, who is bound for La Salle, has her future set on the hardwood. Miller and fellow senior Sophia Stellabotte will not have that opportunity to play at the next level. Miller will study nursing at Penn State. But Quinn will always remember them for being great friends and teammates. She was thrilled to see Stellabotte get some time on the floor in the final minute.
“I’ve loved playing with Greta and Sophia for three, four years. I’m sad that they won’t play basketball anymore,” Quinn said. “I know they’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
Miller said she will wake up Saturday and realize there are no more games, no more practices. Basketball will be in her rearview mirror. But the memories she made with O’Hara basketball will live.
“I don’t know when it will hit me. It will be weird not having basketball anymore,” she said. “I am loving this right now and I love everyone on the team. You can’t ask for anything better.”
Contact Matt Smith at msmith@delcotimes.com