Sun Valley loses Lannon, chance at state bid

CONCORD — Carson Adelberger believes the Sun Valley girls lacrosse team can make noise in the Ches-Mont League this spring.

She just hopes she could have spent a little more time with her basketball teammates.

Adelberger, who is bound for Central Connecticut State next year for lacrosse, played her final basketball game for coach Frank Ridpath Saturday afternoon at Garnet Valley High School. By dropping a 41-30 decision to Merion Mercy, Sun Valley failed to qualify for the PIAA tournament in Class AAA.

“It’s a tough way to go out,’ said Adelberger, who quietly played a sound all-around game for the Vanguards.

What could have been …

The fifth-seeded Vanguards saw their season flash before them when sophomore Kate Lannon hit the floor violently after a collision with an opposing player in the second quarter of the District One third-place game with No. 3 Merion Mercy. Lannon, the fifth-leading scorer in Delco, was visibly shaken as she dusted herself off and made a free-throw shot to pull Sun Valley (17-8) within six points before the break. At that juncture, Lannon had all four Sun Valley field goals and 10 of the team’s 13 points.

Lannon missed the second half with concussion symptoms. The competitor in Lannon wanted nothing more but to be on the court, leading her team on a comeback. Without her, the Vanguards struggled to make baskets, but it didn’t stop Adelberger and Hannah Turner, another guard who treats every second on the court as if it is her last, from giving it their best.