Nihill, Gardler lead O’Hara past Wood in big Catholic League showdown

Cardinal O’Hara passed its first major Catholic League test Friday night.

All-Delco guard Hannah Nihill and Kenzie Gardler scored 16 points apiece in the Lions’ 44-36 road win over Archbishop Wood.

Gardler converted six free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter to help O’Hara seal the victory and stay unbeaten. Nihill had 10 of her points in the first half.

The Lions (9-0, 3-0) scored all of their points in the final quarter (13) from the foul line.

O’Hara is the No. 1-ranked Class AAAA team in the state, according to PennLive.com. Wood entered the night as the top Class AAA program.

In the Central League:

Garnet Valley 56, Haverford 32 >> Brianne Borcky had the best game of her young high school career.

The freshman finished with 21 points, six rebounds, six steals and three assists as the Jaguars (10-1, 6-1) downed the Fords (6-5).

Maddie Ireland and Emily McAteer checked in with nine points apiece for the Jags, who have reeled off four straight wins.

Amanda Battista paced Haverford with 13 points.

Springfield 51, Penncrest 22 >> Sisters Madison and Jordan D’Ambrosio were partially responsible for ending the visiting Lions’ six-game winning streak.

Madison had nine of her team-high 13 points in the first half, while Jordan scored all of her 10 points in the first two quarters for the Cougars (7-3, 5-2).

Maggie O’Connell (five assists) and Belle Mastropietro chipped in nine points each for Springfield. Katie Russo led Penncrest with 11 points.

Ridley 43, Lower Merion 38 >> Balance was key for the Green Raiders as not one player reached double figures in scoring. Hailee Mayer (nine points) and Mel Malseed (eight) led the offensive efforts and Izzy Hamlin excelled on the boards.

Radnor 53, Strath Haven 43 >> Nicole Massimino (18 points) and Allison Lanzone (13) powered the  Raiders (7-5, 5-2), who outscored the Panthers, 13-3, after Haven’s Katie Fisher (21 points) tied the game with a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. Racquel Razavi had five points and seven rebounds for Radnor.

Conestoga 65, Upper Darby 34 >> Despite Emma Blewett’s 20-point effort, the Royals trailed 26-3 at the end of

the first period and never recovered.

Maria Koblish, Ellie Mack and Liz Scott all had 10 points for the Pioneers.

Harriton 56, Marple Newtown 35 >> The Tigers (3-9) had a difficult time containing Harriton’s Sophie Grady, who dropped in 26 points.  The visiting Rams shot 15 of 19 from the foul line.

Olivia Young scored seven points for Marple.

In the Inter-Ac League:

 

Penn Charter 49, Episcopal Academy 46 >> Luly Kuntz’s 3-pointer as time expired in regulation fell short as

the Churchwomen (4-5, 0-3) dropped a close one at home.

Seanna McNamara had eight of her team-high 17 points in the first quarters, hitting five baskets from beyond the arc. Luca Mamula and Elodie Furey added eight points each for EA.

Baldwin 49, Agnes Irwin 37 >> Alex Blomstrom had a strong game for the Owls with 17 points and three 3-point field goals.

In nonleague action:

Christian Academy 54, Plumstead Christian 14 >> Lindsay Haseltine put forth a complete effort as the Crusaders (10-3) cruised to their fourth straight win.

Haseltine scored 18 points, dished eight assists and made seven steals for TCA, which led 24-2 after the first quarter.