Plymouth Whitemarsh adapts, handles Downingtown East in home opener
WHITEMARSH >> When things started to go off-script Tuesday night, the Plymouth Whitemarsh girls basketball team simply adjusted.
The Colonials hosted Downingtown East in a battle of two state playoff teams from a year ago and between a shorthanded starting lineup, early foul trouble or in-game matchups, PW just adapted. PW also knew regardless of what was happening on the floor, everything hinged on the ability to rebound.
PW controlled the glass and handled the challenges of the night as it topped the Cougars 53-37 to open the 2019-20 home slate.
“It was mainly just the team preparing,” PW point guard Kaitlyn Flanagan said. “We really tried to take (Bella) Smuda, their big, out of the game and it was a team effort really. It’s great everyone on the team can really step up when we need them to.”
Rebounding is important in every game, but moreso when the opposition has a player of Bella Smuda’s caliber. The Downingtown East senior, a Liberty recruit, commands plenty of attention as a 6-foot-5 center who averaged more than 20 points and 12 rebounds per game last year.
The Colonials, who are without sophomore forward Lainey Allen due to injury, don’t have anyone close to Smuda’s height. Instead, PW went with a team effort on the glass and whatever it lacked in height, it made up in gusto.
PW’s trio of Gabby Cooper, Erin Daley and Anna McTamney combined for 25 points and 31 rebounds, with Abby Sharpe adding another 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Forward Jordyn Thomas was one of the Colonials in early foul trouble but when she was on the floor, was also instrumental in trying to box out Smuda and her teammates.
“We like to play fast, we wanted to speed them up as well and any time you go up against a post player like Smuda, you want to beat them up the floor offensively and defensively and sprint back,” Colonials coach Dan Dougherty said. “Our focus with Smuda is ‘don’t let her get the rebound.’ If it takes two to box her out, then take the two to box her out and the other three come in to rip the boards. I thought that was a huge difference.”
After falling behind 5-2, the Colonials went on a quick 7-0 spurt capped when Flanagan hit a three off an offensive rebound and kick-out by Cooper. That certainly seemed to spark something and over the final 2:37 of the opening period, the hosts would outscore the Cougars 9-0 keyed by a pair of Cooper treys assisted by Flanagan.
Flanagan kept the run going into the second, assisting three more baskets as the Colonials opened with the first seven of the frame. A steal by the sophomore led to a lead pass that Sharpe converted for a 25-7 lead, part of an eight-point quarter for the guard off the bench.
“A lot of shots were falling, which really helped us out because it lets us get into our press,” Flanagan said. “My teammates were getting down the floor quickly, which really helps out because we can get out and push it and get into our offense.”
Sharpe’s impact was another adjustment from PW, which had to go a little smaller to handle foul issues for Thomas and Daley.
“We immediately saw they put Smuda on Abby, she’s one of the best shooters on our team so we saw it as a chance to get Abby the ball and let her go score,” Dougherty said. “She’s coming along and Erin Daley is coming along and they’re adding depth to our team we desperately need.”
Daley, who started in Allen’s place, finished with 10 points and 12 boards while Lily Belle McGrorty added five off the bench. McTamney scored seven points, all in the first half, but tied for the team lead with 12 rebounds, five of them on the offensive end.
Flanagan led PW with 11 points and six assists while Cooper had eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a handful of other deflected passes. The two guards, who make up half of the girls’ soccer team’s back line, were all over the floor on both ends.
“The kids know when they’re going into the game what we’re going to do and I think they feel comfortable with it,” Dougherty said. “It allows them to play a little faster and more confidently.”
Lauren Kent led the Cougars with 12 points while Smuda was limited to just five points but added 12 rebounds and six blocks, including a 3-point shot. PW’s defense and physical rebounding played a big part but the Cougars also had a tough night offensively with a lot of point-blank shots just refusing to fall for them.
PW is off to a 3-0 start and not yet at full strength, so the Colonials have a lot to like.
“It really starts with our defense,” Flanagan said. “When we play good defense, we can get into press, then we can get onto runs and it gets everybody involved. It gives the whole team energy to work through our offense.”
Dougherty felt his team had great energy on Tuesday for its home debut and noted quite a few of the boys’ team players in the stands giving their support. The challenge for PW will be to find that same energy on the road Friday night when the Colonials open SOL American play at Wissahickon.
“I really like the enthusiasm they play with,” Dougherty said. “I challenged them and said ‘you’re the ones that have to pump each other up.’ I’m thinking about the next play or call, so I love their enthusiasm and I enjoy their athleticism because as their coach, it allows you to do a lot of different things.”
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 53, DOWNINGTOWN EAST 37
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 18 17 13 5 – 53
DOWNINGTOWN EAST 7 7 8 15 – 37
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Kaitlyn Flanagan 4 2-5 11, Erin Daley 5 0-1 10, Gabby Cooper 3 0-2 8, Anna McTamney 3 1-2 7, Abby Sharpe 5 0-0 10, Lily Belle McGrorty 2 0-0 5, Deja Evans 0 1-2 2, Chloe McGrorty 0 1-2 1. Totals: 22 5-14 53
Downingtown East: Cassidy Denning 2 0-0 5, Mary McFillin 2 0-0 6, Lauren Kent 4 2-3 12, Caroline Brennan 1 1-2 3, Bella Smuda 1 3-4 5, Sara Geary 2 0-1 6. Totals: 12 6-10 37.
3-pointers; PW – Cooper 2, Flanagan, McGrorty; DE – McFillin 2, Kent 2, Geary 2, Denning.
