D’Ambrosio’s 1,000th timed right for Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Jordan D’Ambrosio didn’t want to be in another state when she scored her 1,000th point.
“I didn’t want to get it in Virginia,” said the Springfield High senior forward.
The Cougars dominated on their holiday trip in Williamsburg, Va., sweeping the Colonial Invitational, of which D’Ambrosio was selected tournament MVP.
To become just the fifth player in Springfield girls basketball history to reach the milestone, D’Ambrosio hoped it would happen somewhere in Pennsylvania, preferably in Delaware County … and especially within the cozy confines of Springfield’s Cougar Gymnasium.
“It’s nice to get it on your home court,” she said.
When D’Ambrosio drove to the basket and scored her eighth and ninth points of a 58-33 victory over Penncrest, her teammates stormed the floor. There was lots of hugging. D’Ambrosio became the first Springfield girls basketball player to score 1,000 since All-Delco Myneshia McKenzie during the 2009-10 season. The program record of 1,194 points, held by Erin Stiteler, now becomes an achievable goal for D’Ambrosio.
“When you think about it, it’s pretty cool,” D’Ambrosio said. “It’s something to be proud of. I guess it’s better to get it over with earlier (in the season), so that there’s not a ton of pressure on me to do it.”
. @SFDgirlsbball's Jordan D'Ambrosio gets her 1,000th career point tonight in win over Penncrest. pic.twitter.com/gV7tO0DIW3
— Matt Smith (@DTMattSmith) January 5, 2019
There’s a chance D’Ambrosio will watch teammate Belle Mastropietro score her 1,000th point later in the season.
“Especially since we have been playing together for so long and we’re so close, it was great to see her score her 1,000th point and to run over and hug her,” Mastropietro said.
D’Ambrosio was happy to hear that her former AAU Comets teammate also scored her 1,000th point Friday. Mandy McGurk accomplished the feat in Academy of Notre Dame’s win over Baldwin School earlier in the day.
“I heard she was close,” D’Ambrosio said. “That’s good for her.”
D’Ambrosio, who recently committed to Widener, scored a game-high 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field. She added three steals and an assist and was 3-for-3 at the free-throw line.
Mastropietro posted nine points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists. Sophomore guard Alexa Abbonizio racked up nine points and two assists. Rachel Conran (six points, four assists) and Jordan Postiglione (seven points, three rebounds) were productive off the bench for the Cougars, who shot 50 percent (20-for-40) from the field and assisted on 11 of their made baskets.
With a showdown against undefeated Garnet Valley scheduled next Friday, the Cougars are confident they are the team to beat in the Central League. But they’ll have to conquer the Jags, who are looking to avenge their 2018 league championship loss to the Cougars.
“We know that we can’t be satisfied,” D’Ambrosio said, “and we know we have to keep getting better.”
Kylie Chelo led Penncrest (3-6) with 12 points and Alexis Calloway contributed 10 points and four rebounds.
In other Central League action:
Garnet Valley 55, Haverford 51 >> The Jaguars (8-0) stormed back from a seven-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to win an exciting one at Haverford. Morgan Falcone had the big shot, nailing a 3-pointer from the right corner off a pass from Jill Nagy to give the Jags a 53-51 lead with 19.1 seconds to play in regulation. Emily McAteer sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Falcone paced GV with 12 points, while McAteer and Brianne Borcky scored 11 apiece. Madi McKee tossed in nine points.
Lindsey Lane scored 14 points for the Fords (6-2). Erin Doherty (13 points) and Sara Walsh (11) also reached double digits.
Upper Darby 45, Conestoga 43 >> Jasmine Forrester made the go-ahead layup with 30 seconds to go in overtime, lifting the Royals (7-1, 3-1) to a thrilling win at home. Forrester poured in a game-high 24 points and drilled four 3-point field goals.
Natalie Koskinas had just three points, but was a major factor inside the paint for UD. Koskinas pulled down 10 rebounds and had two blocked shots.
Sara Sullivan came away with two key steals in the fourth quarter and OT. Aubrey Ennis and Gabby Liberio chipped in with seven points apiece.
Ridley 53, Lower Merion 48 >> Paige Gabriele sank two 3-pointers to help the host Green Raiders (4-6, 2-3) pull away in the third quarter. Gabriele, Kylie McNicholas and Shannen Hinchey all scored 12 points in the win. McNicholas was 6-for-6 at the free-throw line and is 12-for-12 on the season. Lindsey Boyd added eight points for Ridley.
Strath Haven 50, Radnor 42 >> The Panthers overcame a narrow deficit at halftime, buoyed by Cayden Frazier’s game-high 18 points. Faith Raymond totaled 14 points and Danielle McNeely pitched in with eight.
Ellie Mueller netted 14 points and Julia Rigolizzo chipped in with 11 for the Raiders.
