Shea leads fourth-quarter charge for Strath Haven in win over Penncrest
NETHER PROVIDENCE — Laura Shea was fouled in the process of making a basket in the fourth quarter of Strath Haven’s 50-42 victory over rival Penncrest Thursday night.
Shea hit the floor hard, but was no worse for wear. She was pumped up.
“Laura is a soccer goalkeeper,” Haven coach Chrissy Smith said. “She’s used to diving for everything.”
Shea finished off the and-1 and the Panthers were on their way to a satisfying ending to their home opener. The junior forward scored seven of her game-high 14 points in the fourth period. She hit three free throws in the clutch and was a force on the glass all game (eight rebounds).
“I always feel like I’m a fourth-quarter person,” Shea said. “I like to run, I like (to be physical). I really like when the game is intense. I love the fourth quarter and I definitely love winning the fourth quarter.”
That is precisely what the Panthers accomplished, outscoring the Lions, 20-11. They trailed 31-30 going into the last stanza.
“Right after the first half we talked about how …we are overworking ourselves,” Shea said. “We knew we could do so much better, by passing around the ball more. Everyone just came together and we knew what we needed to do.”
Senior guard Sierra Felder’s lay up early in the fourth gave the Panthers a one-point lead they would not relinquish. Freshman guard Chloe Hunold scored to make it a three-point advantage, then Felder drilled a 3-point field goal to put the Panthers ahead 38-33.
“We’ve been down in every fourth quarter it seems, so it was nice to have a little bit of momentum,” Smith said. “We came back into the 32 (zone), we came out of our man, but we kept the press on. Changing it up a little bit.”
It also helped to receive contributions from everybody on the roster. Bianca Penn, a junior forward, made a big shot in the final quarter. Eliza Jauregui, a freshman, and senior forward Kenzie Irey also contributed valuable minutes off the bench. Penn was in the game whenever Shea needed a breather.
“Two of the kids are JV players and they got minutes,” Smith said. “It’s nice to have athletic kids come off the bench.”
Smith ultimately relied on her starting five of Shea, Hunold, Felder, Mary Ella Gill and Olivia Voshell to bring the win home. The road-weary Panthers (4-3) played their first six games away, and were more than happy to be back in their home gymnasium. They began the season with three straight wins, only to lose three in a row entering Thursday.
“We told ourselves that this is our house and we’re not losing this game,” Shea said. “We’re a very young team and we didn’t have the season we wanted last year. So I think a lot of us, the ones who are returning starters, are really pumped to do a lot better this year. Just keep building on our energy and have fun. We have a lot of girls playing really well. Our freshman Chloe, she’s pulling through like crazy. She’s really contributing for us.”
Hunold scored 10 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out two assists. Gill was masterful on defense (seven steals) and supplied five assists to go with eight points. Felder finished with eight points and five rebounds, while Voshell chipped in with six points, six rebounds and three assists.
Bailey Garrison led the Lions (2-2) with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. Kat Harding added seven points and five rebounds, while Kyra Curci paired four points with six steals.
In another Central League game:
Radnor 54, Harriton 46 >> Kate Gallagher poured in a game-high 19 points and shot 5-for-6 from the free-throw line to lead the Raptors past the Rams.
Mary Sareen tallied eight of her 10 points from the charity stripe and Anna Reger added seven points, all from the foul line. Megan Dole provided five points and nine rebounds for Radnor.
Felicity McFillin paced the Rams with 17 points.
In the Ches-Mont League:
Great Valley 47, Sun Valley 31 >> The Vanguards gave it all they had with four players absent due to injuries. Jaina Preuhs netted a game-high nine points and Ava Barraclough chipped in with seven. Rory Tiedeman and Brielle Wright scored six points apiece.
In nonleague action:
Chester 62, Great Oaks Charter (Del.) 15 >> Imani Dorsey scored a career-high 18 points to lead the Clippers, who led 26-0 after the first quarter. Dorsey also had seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and a blocked shot.
Shyne Hall went for 18 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in the victory. Ja’Mya Muhammad posted a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Pottstown 58, Interboro 43 >> Freshman Madilyn Mae scored 11 of her team-high 14 points in the second half, but the Bucs couldn’t overcome a 29-8 halftime deficit. Erin Boyer pitched in with seven points.
Jayana Hill powered Pottstown with 25 points.
Downingtown East 67, Penn Wood 31 >> Ani Rascoe scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds but the Patriots fell.
Charlotte Aldridge scored 18 points and Bella Smuda added 13 for D-East.
