Delco Girls Basketball Notebook: Catholic League could’ve produced a few state title teams

The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening as Pennsylvania schools remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Documented cases of the virus have surpassed 7,000 nationwide, including 96 cases in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Considering where we are as a country, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the PIAA basketball playoffs continue. At this point we are left to wonder what could have been…

On the girls’ side, the Catholic League could have produced two or three state champions. Really.

In Class 3A, PCL champion West Catholic was in the midst of arguably its best season in program history. The Burrs cruised to blowout victories in the first two rounds, but was facing a difficult match with District 2 champion Dunmore (27-1), which disposed of perennial state and PCL powerhouse Neumann-Goretti in the second round. Lurking ahead was District 3 champion Delone Catholic, the defending Class 3A champ.

In Class 4A, at least one PCL squad was guaranteed a berth in the semifinals. Bonner-Prendergast and Lansdale Catholic were set to meet in the quarterfinal round this week. In years past the Pandas have succumbed to District 11’s Bethlehem Catholic, which was paired with Scranton Prep in the Eastern side of the bracket. Like West Catholic, it stands to reason that Bonner-Prendie or LC’s run in states could’ve ended in the semifinals.

In Class 5A, Archbishop Carroll and Archbishop Wood could have had a classic in the quarterfinal round, and the winner of that game was in good position to represent the East in Hershey. It’s worth noting that Carroll went 0-2 against Wood in the regular season. In fact, Carroll went a combined 1-7 against the PCL’s top-four: Archbishop Wood, Cardinal O’Hara, Neumann-Goretti and West Catholic.

Of course, there is the Western side of the bracket to consider, too, where reigning champion Chartiers Valley of District 7 was alive and well. Carroll fell to Chartiers Valley in last year’s state final.

Finally, in Class 6A, Cardinal O’Hara was in a position to make its first trip to Hershey since 2017. While that ’17 squad boasted four Division 1 talents and All-Delcos (Kenzie Gardler, Maura Hendrixson, Hannah Nihill, Mary Sheehan) this year’s Lions had a good chance to run the table. Led by sophomore standouts Sydni Scott and Maggie Doogan, as well as juniors Amaris Baker and Siobhan Boylan,, the Lions were trending in the right direction when the PIAA suspended tournament play last week. Standing in the Lions’ way was District 1’s Pennsbury, a beatable foe for O’Hara.

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The PIAA provided a brief update regarding the status of the basketball championships and spring sports season in a statement released on Monday.

Not much has changed.

“As we move forward, the PIAA will continue to work with the Governor’s office, the Department of Health and the Department of Education to provide updated information regarding spring sports and any possible re-start of the winter sports championships,” the statement reads.

The PIAA is in compliance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s directive to close all schools for minimally a 10-day period and urged any informal, off-site team practices and workouts to be halted immediately.

“It’s our position this is contrary to the intent of the Governor’s order and these activities are not permitted,” the statement reads. “It (sic) very clear of the intentions of our state government, so please assist them in preventing inappropriate off-site workouts or practices.”

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Sun Valley didn’t have a winning season and didn’t qualify for the District 1 Class 5A tournament, but first-year coach Tony Zambino was pleased with the gradual progress his young team made throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

Notwithstanding the 6-16 record, the Vanguards led at halftime or after three quarters in seven games they eventually lost. Moreover, the team was competitive against state qualifiers West Chester Rustin and Great Valley, which played for a district title last month.

SV won its first Ches-Mont League game in three years, an overtime thriller against Kennett.

“Last year the team lost 15 games in a row and this year only lost four in a row and won three of four games toward the end of the season with a depleted squad due to several injuries,” Zambino said.

He added that seniors Micaylah Heygood and Maya Morris “provided stability” on a youthful team that included dynamic sophomore guard Aliceia Whitfield, who averaged 12 points per game and emerged as the team’s top performer.

“Aliceia is only going to get better,” Zambino said.

Freshmen Rory Tideman and Jaina Preuhs also played key roles this winter.

Tideman did a little bit of everything, scoring 137 points, grabbing 73 rebounds and 26 steals to go along with 24 assists, Zambino said. “Preuhs scored a career high 22 points in one game and provided a consistent outside shooting threat for the team,” he added.

Zambino always has high hopes for junior center Savannah Lewis, who missed the second half of the season due to injury.