District 1 Girls Basketball: In postseason, nothing changing for Haverford
If you say the word “undefeated” to a Haverford player, you are unlikely to get a response. A smirk or shrug of the shoulders, but that’s about it.
The Fords are 24-0 and fresh off winning the team’s first Central League championship in 11 years. They are led by Delaware County’s top scorer, senior forward Caroline Dotsey, who is averaging around 18 points per game. They have three dominant forwards in Dotsey, her sophomore sister Rian and senior Mollie Carpenter, all of whom stand six feet or taller. Their starting guards, senior Sky Newman and junior Aniya Eberhart, are the energizers.
The Fords know they’re good, but going into the District 1 Class 6A tournament as the only undefeated team in the district means very little to them. It doesn’t mean they are cocky or overconfident. They approach every game like it will be their last.
“I don’t think we can change anything. I think we have to keep it one game at a time,” said Caroline Dotsey, who earned the Central League MVP award after scoring 23 points against Conestoga in the championship game Monday. “That’s how we’ve been able to perform so well this season. We know not to take any team for granted and not underestimate anyone. That’s really what’s got us to the point where we’re at. I think keeping that type of mentality is important for us.”
As the No. 2 seed the Fords have a bye to the second round. They will play either No. 18 Coatesville (14-8) or 15th-seeded Methacton (16-8) Wednesday at 7.
Elsewhere in Class 6A:
No. 7 Springfield (19-5) also earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of No. 23 Kennett (9-13) and 10th-seeded Conestoga (19-5) next Wednesday.
The Central League’s top three teams – Haverford, Conestoga and Springfield – are in the same bracket. It’s likely that Stoga and Springfield meet in a rematch of last Saturday’s Central League semifinal. The Pioneers defeated the Cougars, 22-14, in a defensive struggle. In that game Springfield shot 4 of 32 from the floor and 1 of 20 from 3-point distance. Should the teams meet again, the Cougars will have the home court advantage, which they did not have in their’ league playoff and regular season games with the Pioneers.
Springfield is led by its five senior starters: guards Mia Valerio, Kaitlyn Kearney, Lexi Aaron, and Taylor Hunyet and forward Anabel Kreydt.
Two Delco teams hit the road Friday in the first round. No. 20 Garnet Valley (13-10) visits 13th-seeded Pennridge at 7:30, while No. 22 Penncrest (14-9) travels to 11th-seeded Pennsbury at 6.
The Jaguars were bounced by Radnor in the quarterfinal round of the Central League playoffs. A young team led by sophomore point guard Kylie Mulholland and sophomore combo guard Haylie Adamski, it would come as no surprise if the Jags pull off an upset or two in the tournament.
Two years ago Penncrest was a one-win program, but has qualified for the Class 5A and 6A district tournaments in each of the last two seasons. The Lions are led by senior guard Kyra Curci, junior wing Bailey Garrison and junior forward Kathryn Harding.
District 1 Class 5A
No. 6 Radnor (15-9) is the lone Delco team at home Friday as the Raptors welcome 11th-seeded Phoenixville for a 7 o’clock tip.
Radnor advanced to the Central League semifinals behind the outstanding play of senior guard Mary Sareen and junior guard Kate Gallagher. Freshman guard Anna Reger, junior guard Caroline Monahan and senior guard Meghan Dole have been steady contributors as well.
The Phantoms were routed by Spring-Ford, 64-17, in the Pioneer Athletic Conference semifinals. Mali Warren and Riley Ford-Bey are a formidable duo in the front court for Phoenixville.
In other first-round matchups, No. 10 Marple Newtown (12-10) plays at seventh-seeded Mount Saint Joseph Academy (11-12) and 12th-seeded Strath Haven visits No. 5 Upper Moreland (18-5).
The Tigers have endured an up-and-down season after advancing to the second round of the state tournament last year. Senior guard Mary O’Brien and senior forward Brooke Impriano have helped carry the team to a winning record.
The Mount enters the district playoffs losers of three in a row, most recently a 35-25 setback to Gwynedd Mercy in the Catholic Academies semifinals. Senior guard Lauren Hoffman is one to watch.
The Panthers earned the 12th and final seed thanks to their late season win over Chester. Leading the way are Chloe Hunold and sophomores Olivia Voshell and Maryella Gill.
The Golden Bears were co-champions of the Suburban One League’s Freedom Division, but bowed to Abington in the first round of the conference playoffs.
District 1 Class 2A
No. 2 Sacred Heart (12-8) hosts No. 3 Delco Christian (13-7) in the semifinal round Tuesday at 7. The Lions are the reigning six-time Class 2A district champions, led by sophomore guard MJ Donohue and sophomore forward Keara McCaffery. For the Knights, junior Ashanti Harris dropped 31 points in the team’s 54-41 loss to Sacred Heart last month. This is also a rematch of the 2022 district final.
District 1 Class A
The Christian Academy of Brookhaven (16-6) meets Jenkintown (10-12) for the district title Saturday, Feb. 25 at a time and location yet to be determined. TCA won the teams’ regular season meeting, 31-15.
