Villa Maria tops Gwynedd Mercy Academy for Catholic Academies League title
SPRINGFIELD >> A third-quarter storm of tough rebounding, transition buckets and timely threes blew the game open for the Hurricanes Tuesday night, as Villa Maria seized a 55-32 victory over Gwynedd Mercy Academy in the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies League Final at packed La Salle College High School.
“It’s what we worked for all season so I’m happy we got it,” said a smiling Maura McHugh, whose all-around play helped put the Canes over the top.
The victory raised Villa’s record to 21-3, as the Canes now get ready for a District 1-5A Quarterfinal at home against either Radnor or Phoenixville next Tuesday. GMA (19-5) will also be at home next Tuesday, against either Upper Moreland or Strath Haven in the 5A Quarters.
Villa took a 19-12 lead into the half Tuesday night but then broke it open in the third.
“We definitely focused on rebounding more, and we knew we had to run transition,” said McHugh, who earned Catholic Academies League Co-MVP honors along with GMA’s Hannah Griffin (11 points). “That’s our game. And that really extended the lead.”
The senior-led Canes got out to a 34-14 lead, with Elaina Guerzon and Ella Iacone each hitting 3-pointers and Carly Catania and Alice Nash also contributing on the offensive end.
The Canes held the Monarchs to just a single field goal for a good chunk of the third quarter.
“Rebounding and talking (were big for us),” McHugh said. “Because our help defense was key.”
The Monarchs did get going late in the third and early in the fourth, slicing the margin down to 37-25 on a three by Morgan Newell.
But Villa worked through the press and found the open shot, a three by Iacone pushing the lead back to 40-25.
Clare Cronley drove baseline for another basket and a runner by Guerzon kept the momentum going. Guerzon, who scored a game-high 15 points, hit a three to make it 47-25, and the Canes were on their way.
The 5-foot-11 McHugh provided solid defense and added seven points as Villa goes sprinting into districts.
“It’s a great way to end my senior season, but it’s not over yet,” said McHugh of the league title.
Villa Maria 55, Gwynedd Mercy 32
Gwynedd Mercy 9 3 9 11 — 32
Villa Maria 11 8 18 18 — 55
Gwynedd Mercy: Cara Lapp 2 0-0 4, Baily Balkir 2 1-3 6, Hannah Griffin 5 1-2 11, Dylan Burke 0 1-2 1, Morgan Newell 3 0-0 8, Brooke Evans 0 0-1 0, Lauren Drakely 1 0-0 2, Mary Kate Donahue 0 0-2 0. Totals 13 3-10 32.
Villa Maria: Elaina Guerzon 6 0-0 15, Ava Irvine 3 0-0 6, Maura McHugh 3 1-2 7, Ella Iacone 3 1-2 9, Clare Cronley 2 3-4 7, Sophia Tray 0 2-2 2, Emma O’Hare 0 1-2 1, Carly Catania 2 0-1 4, Alice Nash 2 0-0 4. Totals 21 8-13 55.
3-pointers: G-Balkir, Newell 2; V-Guerzon 3, Iacone 2.
