Phil-Mont Christian too tall a hurdle for Delco Christian
CHELTENHAM — With mere seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, a Delco Christian player purposely threw the ball out of play. There was no harm or foul.
DC coach Mark Weaver wanted to give his senior class one final swan song, a standing ovation from the fans that commuted to Cheltenham High School for Tuesday night’s District One Class A semifinal doubleheader.
The fifth-seeded Knights were on their way to a 49-38 defeat at the hands of reigning district champion and No. 1 Phil-Mont Christian. Before it was official, seniors Madison Moore, Melynda Garner and Paige Thompson went out in style. It was Weaver’s way of showing how much he appreciates their time with the program.
Afterward, a teary-eyed Thompson managed to offer a few comments. The Knights were the rightful underdog, but that didn’t deter them one bit. They stayed with the physically imposing Falcons (23-3), against whom the Knights lost twice in the regular season. But Phil-Mont’s twin towers, junior forwards Keyen Green (6-0) and Tracey Goodman (6-3), proved to be too hard to handle.
“We played them twice, once about a week ago, and we knew we had to be physical just to match up with their height,’ said Thompson, who had three points, two assists and two steals. “If we got down, we had to stay in it mentally. We kind of fell apart during a couple of runs they had, but we tried our best.’
Green and Goodman combined for 30 rebounds. The majority of Green’s points came on second chances under the basket. DC’s top player, junior guard Siani McNeil, gave up several inches in an effort to defend the paint and combat Phil-Mont’s inside presence. Recently named the Bicentennial League’s Player of the Year, McNeil produced team highs in points (13), rebounds (nine), steals (four) and blocked shots (two).
“As you can tell, we’re not as tall as them, but I think we prepared as well as we could,’ McNeil said. “I just think Phil-Mont came out and played an overall better game tonight.’
The Knights (15-11) dug themselves a nine-point hole in the first quarter before closing on a 7-0 run. McNeil drove to the bucket for two points to even the score in the second period, but the Knights never gained the lead. Phil-Mont assumed control with 11 consecutive points.
“We were trying different things. We would make a run to get back in the game and then they would make a run. We just didn’t have enough firepower all away around to hang with them,’ Weaver said. “We were trying to create chaos the best we could, but they handled the ball well enough to get the ball inside… and that’s what they do.’
The Falcons scored 30 points from inside the paint.
“We practiced all week doubling down and weakside help and all those things,’ Weaver said. “But I’m proud of the girls, they fought hard.’
The Knights defended the Falcons with a 1-2-2 strategy most of the way and went into man-to-man in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Claudia Norton (11 points) hit a three-point play to cut DC’s deficit to five with five minutes to play, but Phil-Mont ripped off seven of the next nine points to put things away.
Junior guard Emma Ellsworth had seven points and provided great on-the-ball defense for the Knights. Weaver believes the experience gained will pay dividends for his young team.
“More than anything, the most valuable thing is the experience and playing under pressure,’ he said. “There’s no substitute for just going through it. Shirley (Piotrowski), Claudia Norton and Alex Thompson, a freshman and two sophomores, they played most of the game. That’s going to be key for us in the future. And we have Emma and Siani coming back, as well.’
Green pulled down 17 rebounds and had two blocks, while Goodman added nine points and 13 boards. Lauren Tipton chipped in with 11 points and Kayla Griffin contributed seven points and four steals for Phil-Mont.
