Delco Girls Basketball Notebook: McNichol twins have birthday date against each other
Kylynn and Kacy McNichol are throwing each other a birthday party in a very cool way Tuesday night.
The twins will celebrate their big day on opposite sides of the scorer’s table when Kylynn’s Springfield team hosts Kacy’s Harriton squad.
It’s the first time the McNichol sisters will coach against each other at the varsity level.
“We’re really excited,” Kylynn said last week after the Cougars’ victory at Penncrest. Springfield has won seven in a row entering the week, second place in the Central League. “It happens to be our birthday, too. So you have twin sisters celebrating their birthday playing each other. You can’t ask for more than that.”
While Kylynn is in her third season directing the Cougars, Kacy is a rookie head coach with the Rams. The sisters both played under their mom, Mary Beth, at Academy of Notre Dame. They were assistant coaches at Notre Dame and have coached for several years in the Comets organization.
Kacy most recently served as an assistant coach at University of the Sciences before taking the job at Harriton.
“Since we’ve been on the same team our whole life, this is a special opportunity to coach against my twin sister and friends, It is great for both schools,” Kacy said. “Since we can read each other like a book, I’m sure it will be a game of adjustments.”
Springfield and Harriton are also fighting for a good cause. Part of the proceeds from the game will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“Kacy and I are really looking forward to the matchup. It’s going to be a memory,” Kylynn said. “Win or lose, at the end of the day we’re sisters and it’s going to be a great memory for ourselves and our family. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be playing my sister on my 31st birthday, so it’s going to be fun.”
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Last summer, Maura Hendrixson became the fourth starter at Cardinal O’Hara to commit to a Division I program.
Hendrixson, a junior guard, will continue her career at Drexel University. She will play for the Dragons alongside her O’Hara teammate, senior guard Hannah Nihill, who is the reigning Daily Times Player of the Year.
Drexel is coached by Denise Dillon, the Cardinal O’Hara All-Delco and Villanova great.
For Hendrixson, choosing Drexel was an easy decision.
“The coaches made me feel very welcome, very comfortable. As soon as I visited there, I just loved everything about it,” Hendrixson said. “I’m very excited to play for Denise. I knew that when August came, I really wanted to go to Drexel and get the decision over with. For me, there was no point in looking at anywhere else.”
Hendrixson is averaging seven points per game and, for a third straight year, ranks among the top 3-point shooters in the county with 14 through nine games.
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The @PAGirlsHoops State Rankings released its most recent update Sunday morning. The lists are compiled by Jeff Reinhart, who does a great job covering the sport for Lancaster Newspapers and previously for PennLive.com.
In Class 6A, Cardinal O’Hara has occupied the No. 1 spot since the beginning of the season. O’Hara and No. 4 Cumberland Valley were state finalists in Class 4A last March under the old PIAA classification system.
Undefeated Garnet Valley picked up an honorable mention nod in 6A.
Archbishop Carroll, which was perfect after eight games, is ranked fifth in Class 5A. The Patriots have at least one chance this winter to dethrone No. 1 Archbishop Wood.
Elsewhere, Springfield is listed among the teams to watch in 5A.
Bonner & Prendergast (Class 4A) and Christian Academy (Class 1A) also garnered honorable mention recognition in their respective classes.
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The Del Val League schedule kicks into gear Tuesday. Through the first month of the season, only one team, Interboro (5-4), boasts a non-losing record.
While Academy Park (2-8) recently snapped a seven-game skid, the Knights feature the top scorer in the county and could give three-time defending champions Penn Wood a run at the title. AP guard Mahya Woodton is averaging 16.1 points per game. Meanwhile the Bucs have played fairly well behind veteran guard Gina McNamee and sophomore newcomer Amanda Floyd.
Chichester (2-4) and Chester (2-6) have endured their struggles in the first month. The Eagles rely heavily on senior Lauren Carrafa, who is bound for Immaculata, but also receive solid contributions from Erica Brant and Cierra Riggs. The Clippers have been led by Maya Phillips and Shod’Deah Kelly.
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The 16th Annual Maggie Lucas Scholastic Play By Play Classic will be held Sunday at Philadelphia University. The showcase will feature some of the county’s top teams in action.
In the 8:30 a.m. game on Court 1, Radnor (6-2) takes on Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Notre Dame (7-5) faces Springfield (9-1) at 10 a.m. Springfield and Notre Dame are Nos. 4 and 6, respectively, in the Super 7.
Other games on Court 1, featuring Delco teams, include Mount St. Joseph’s versus No. 2 Carroll at 11:30 a.m., No. 1 Cardinal O’Hara (7-2) against St. Elizabeth (Del.) at 4 and North Penn versus No. 5 Episcopal (6-5) at 5:30.
On Court 2, No. 3 Garnet Valley (9-0) plays Gwynedd Mercy at 10 a.m. and No. 7 Bonner & Prendergast (8-3) goes up against Boyertown at 4.
To contact Matt Smith, email msmith@21st-centurymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DTMattSmith.
