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Worley emerging as leader for Abington girls

12/15/2021, 12:30am EST
By Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson (@ADrobinson3)
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Cire Worley's strong finish to the 2020-21 season for Abington wasn't a flash in the pan, but a precursor of things to come.

Worley has gotten off to a tremendous start and the now 3-0 Ghosts have followed her lead through Tuesday's 52-27 win over Upper Dublin to start SOL Liberty play. Unlike last season, when Worley was mainly a potent scorer, the 6-foot junior has emerged a more complete player.

Abington principal Angelo Berrios and Cire Worley

Abington principal Angelo Berrios presents Cire Worley the game ball from her record 38-point game on Dec. 11. (Photo: Andrew Robinson/CoBL)

Prior to dropping in 18 against the Cardinals, Worley was honored in a pregame ceremony for her achievement last time out, a program-record 38 points in a win over Germantown Academy on Dec. 11.

"I think after having that kind of game on Saturday, it really opened my eyes to what I could do the rest of the season," Worley said. "Now I have to understand that's a sign to other teams and the way they're scouting me."

When Abington lost Khalis Whiting— senior captain, point guard, tone-setter and Stony Brook recruit—for the season with a knee injury, Worley knew she'd have to do more for her team. Worely isn't trying to replace Whiting—one of her best friends and a main reason she came to Abington after attending Abington Friends School for sixth, seventh and eighth grade—but just trying to fill that considerable void on the court.

Matched up with a good defender in Upper Dublin senior Bliss Brenner, Worley didn't force the issue on Tuesday. She only had two points in Abington's decisive 19-2 second quarter, instead making her mark at the top of the Ghosts' press defense.

"I'm going to have to rely on my teammates if I'm not going, that's no issue for me," Worley said. "Even if I'm scoring the basketball, if we're still winning, that's all that matters."

Abington head coach Dan Marsh always told Worley she could be and needed to be a two-way impact player but also knew it was a matter of time. Even as a third-year varsity player, Worley is only just starting to step into her own, but the results of her work are already showing through.

The Ghosts' defensive identity is built on their press and it is at its most effective when there's a rangy, reactive and disruptive force at the top. Cam Lexow was exactly that kind of player, but not since she left to play soccer at the University of Virginia after the 2017-18 season has Abington had that kind of presence.

At least until this winter.

"Against GA, [Worley] had 10 deflections and that energy is contagious," Marsh said. "We haven't had someone like that since Lexow and she might even end up with more deflections than Lexow which is crazy to me, because that kid deflected everything."

Amy Ngo shoots a basketball

Amy Ngo (above) scored a team-high 11 points for Upper Dublin. (Photo: Andrew Robinson/CoBL)

Upper Dublin head coach Morgan Funsten certainly took notice when he watched film of Abington's two games over the weekend. He was most concerned with the fact that the Ghosts had forced 30 and 29 turnovers in their first two games and credited those numbers to the way the entire team functioned in the press.

Tuesday, the Cardinals only turned the ball over 12 times but the side effects of the press—rushed shots, inefficient offense, even that moment of hesitation that allowed the defense to recover—all added up.

"It's such a contrast, you have a six-foot guard up top then their little girls running around, but if you put the ball on the ground and take more than one dribble, they will catch up to you," Funsten said. "They are low to the ground and have quick hands. Worley is really good at the front of the press. She's so long and has great instincts stealing the ball, so it's definitely a challenge."

Worley, who plays AAU ball with Philly Rise, chipped in all over with eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal and scored seven of her 18 in the fourth quarter. After posting a 16.5ppg average and earning first team All-SOL Liberty honors last year following 12.5 ppg and second team All-SOL as a freshman, colleges also came calling for Worley.

She has offers from Drexel, Delaware, UMass Lowell and Coppin State and has been in contact with Lafayette and Manhattan and it seems a lock that more will follow.

Basketball is a family thing for Worley. Her father Eric is a hall of famer at West Chester, older sister Dee played at Hofstra and her cousin Aaliyah Worley played at Stony Brook. Cire, who was only in early elementary school when Dee was playing, knew early on she wanted to get to that level.

"I think after seeing my sister and my cousin play in college, it made me determined to follow suit behind them," Worley said.

Abington starts two freshmen and two of their top reserves are sophomores, so there's still a good deal of youth in the lineup. Marsh said Worley and Jaida Helm have taken on more of a leadership role with the idea that it will filter down in the next few years.

Marsh said he joked with Worley after Saturday's game that she might have to get 38 assists in a game with the way teams would be defending her, but also said it knowing the junior wouldn't have a problem actually doing it.

"We're not a one-woman show. We have other kids that can score the basketball, we have kids who can do other things and she recognizes that," Marsh said. "By spreading the ball, it opens things up for her more later.

"We don't have to coach work ethic right now, they don't stop."

Off the court, Worley is just as motivated. Growing up, she noticed that stores just didn't have any clothing catering to female basketball players and it irritated her, the same way she didn't like the way boys' games and players seemed to get far more attention and highlights.

Cire Worley shoots a basketball

Cire Worley (above) is emerging as a leader on and off the court. (Photo: Andrew Robinson/CoBL)

With the help of her step-mother and father, Worley started Bucket Get(Her), an apparel line catered to female basketball players.

"I wanted to bring something to girls' basketball that we don't have, not just in our city or Abington, but around the world," Worley said. "It was something I wanted to do and being bored during COVID, it just came about."

Abington has been one of the most consistent programs in District 1 the past decade and the Ghosts again have high hopes for this season, with another big test coming next Thursday against Plymouth Whitemarsh. Worley is eager to see what the ceiling is for this team and is happy to fill whatever role she needs to in order for the Ghosts to get there.

"We got lucky with this team, we have a lot of people who like to go hard," Worley said. "We have no problem playing defense. I know I can always improve my communication and make sure I'm talking to my teammates the right way and understanding everybody's perspective."

Upper Dublin is still finding its way three games into the season. Funsten expected some stumbles early with just two starters back and pretty much everyone else stepping into their first real varsity experience.

The Cardinals kept it close early, trailing 11-10 after a quarter, but went cold in the second as Abington pulled away. Sophomore Amy Ngo finished with a team-high 11 points, but had to work for every shot.

"Right now, it's a common theme. We hope it's a coincidence, but right now, our shooting numbers are pretty poor," Funsten said. "Either we have to change our approach or just keep grinding, figure out what shots we are getting and work on them in practice more. We have confidence our girls are going to keep getting better."

Box Score
ABINGTON: 11 | 19 | 8 | 14 || 52
UPPER DUBLIN: 10 | 2 | 5 | 10 || 27

Scorers
A: Cire Worley 18, Jaida Helm 8, Jordan Reynolds 8, Dani Brusha 7, Abril Browser 6, Maya Johnson 3, Maura Day 2
UD: Amy Ngo 11, Colleen Klammer 7, Bliss Brenner 4, Geena Sarnoski 2, Kaitlyn Zacharia 2, Aditi Foster 1


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