When Bonner & Prendie needed a lift, here comes Bridie

UPPER DARBY — When it comes to basketball, Bridie McCann has picked up plenty of pointers from her big sister, Maeve.

“She’s tells me to play like myself,” said Bridie, a freshman, who scored nine points in Bonner & Prendergast’s 68-62 Catholic League win over Cardinal O’Hara Thursday.

Maeve, the Pandas’ senior captain, had 12 points.

The younger McCann tallied seven of her points in the fourth quarter, including a 3 -pointer early in the period that gave B&P a 14-point cushion. That lead began to dissipate before McCann strolled to the free-throw line and banked both shots, preserving another Catholic League rivalry victory for the Pandas (6-3).

Bridie is enjoying her role on the team. She is one of the first off the bench for coach Tom Stewart, a go-player who can knock down a 3-pointer, grab a tough rebound and make a key steal.

“I love playing with all of the people that I play with,” Bridie said. “It makes me feel … more comfortable with everybody. I love playing with my sister, too. It’s great that we’re on the same team together.”

Bridie McCann was a point shy of becoming the fifth Bonner & Prendie player to reach double digits in scoring Thursday.

Junior guard Dakota McCaughan dazzled the crowd with four 3-pointers and a team-high 16 points. McCaughan dished out six assists and notched two steals, too.

Senior forward Ariana McGeary made her presence felt inside the paint, scoring 14 points to go with five rebounds and a pair of steals.

Maeve McCann tallied 12 points and two steals, while junior forward Alexis Gleason finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two steals. Reagan Dolan came off the bench to grab a team-high six rebounds.

All in all, it was a balanced win for the Pandas, who enjoyed a productive trip over the holidays in Atlanta, Ga., where they won third place at the St. Pius X Tournament.

“Going into the season, we knew we would have a solid team and we would have a lot of talent,” McCaughan said. “So, to put it all together and actually have things working and for us to beat the top teams (in the Catholic League) who we haven’t beat in the same season in a while, it just really gives us a confidence boost going into the tougher part of our season.”

The Pandas led by as many as 13 points, but the upstart Lions (5-5), young and loaded with potential under the guidance of first-year head coach Chrissie Doogan, didn’t give up. Senior guard Kerry Patterson led the charge, scoring a game-high 23 points, including six in the fourth quarter. The Lions also received solid performances from junior forward Siobhan Boylan, who scored seven of her 10 points in the final stanza, freshman guard Sydni Scott (15 points) and sophomore guard Amaris Baker (12 points).

“In the long run, we’re going to finally get it together,” said Patterson, one of only three players who returned from last season’s Catholic League

championship team. Patterson is committed to University of Sciences.

“Right now, because we’re a young team, we’re still learning how to work together. We’re still learning the plays, learning how to play defense together. But we’re going to click, it’s going to happen.

“Our roles, as seniors (with Erin Welde), really changed this year. Last year, with all of the seniors we had, they were amazing. This year, we have to learn how to be the leaders. We were guided by those seniors last year, but now it’s our turn to take control of the team. It’s going to work, eventually.”

Boylan hit two free throws to cut O’Hara’s deficit to 64-62, but a turnover on their next possession doomed the Lions.

“Defense, at the end, that’s something we have to work on,” Patterson said. “Knowing what it’s going to take to win the game.”

The Pandas committed only five turnovers, shot 50 percent (23-for-46) from the field, and missed only two foul shots (15-for-17).

“Since most of us have played together the last three years, we know where we are going to be and where to find each other on the court,” McCaughan said. “Everything is starting to click.”

In nonleague action:

Penn Wood 50, Girls High 40 >> Clinging to a one-point lead at halftime, the visiting Patriots (4-5) went on a 16-8 run in the third quarter and held on to win.

Jada Hutt filled up the statsheet with 13 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks and six steals. Ashley Cyrus scored 21 points to go with five assists and a pair of steals, while Racquel Curry chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Awa Dicko had a solid floor game with six points, two assists and two steals for PW.

In the Ches-Mont League:

Kennett 60, Sun Valley 25 >> Kennett’s Andrea Prestianne, by her lonesome, scored as many points as the Vanguards. Maya Morris led Sun Valley with 12 points and Abby Seasock chipped in with seven.