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District 1-6A First Round Preview: Girls (Feb. 17, 2023)

02/17/2023, 2:15am EST
By CoBL Staff

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)

The District 1 6A bracket is finalized, the two dozen teams in the Philadelphia suburban counties who are in the state’s largest classification still alive for one of 12 state tournament slots when the PIAA brackets start next month. That means that a first-round win guarantees at least two more games, while the first-round losers are all done for the season.

Here’s a look at each of next Friday’s first-round games, which will all take place at 7 PM (unless otherwise noted) at the higher seed; second-round games will be Tuesday, Feb. 21, also at higher seeds, who host through the championship game: Saturday, March 4 at Temple University.

9) Unionville vs. 24) Downingtown West
Winner plays 8) Neshaminy


Unionville junior Kerri Menninger shoots a jumper earlier this season. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Unionville fell behind early and never caught up to Bishop Shanahan in the Ches-Mont semifinals this weekend. Senior guard Riley Angstadt had 15 and junior forward Savannah Lang had 10 in the defeat. Angstadt, junior guard Milana Amoss and sophomore guard Elle Johnson are often at the top of the scorer’s sheet, while Lang and sophomore Shannon Megill take their turns as well. Senior guard Maddie Baughan and Angstadt, the team’s captains, set the tone for a group that likes to win with its defense.

Downingtown West was bounced in the first round of districts last season. After dropping seven of its previous eight games, Downingtown West secured its place in the District 1 tournament with a victory over Downingtown East in its final regular-season game. All-league senior wing Lizzie Grant and classmates Kaitlin Meenan, a 6-foot forward, and Kierston Arrowsmith lead the way for the Whippets. Sophomore guard Caitlin Grant has been another consistent contributor in the startling lineup. 

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10) Conestoga vs. 23) Kennett
Winner plays 7) Springfield (Delco.)

Led by the Class of 2024, Conestoga has taken big steps forward as a program during the past two seasons. The Pioneers will play for a Central League title against Haverford on Monday night. A win over Downingtown West would set up a rematch with the they beat in the Central League semifinals to get there: Springfield-Delco. Junior guard Marisa Francione is the tone setter for Conestoga, playing a gritty style of defense and offense. Junior guards Bella Valencia and Katrina Valencia are two other vets in the backcourt, while freshman guard Ryan Jennings and sophomore forward Janie Preston are a couple of the other key pieces for a squad eyeing a deep postseason run after a first-round exit last season.

Kennett snuck into the District 1-6A playoff field as the last team a year ago and was the second-to-last squad in the tournament this season. The Blue Demons had seven straight losses in January before bouncing back with a five-game win streak to close the month, though they lost to Rustin and Unionville to close the regular season in February. Seniors Makayla Kelly and Lili Lusvardi and junior Mia Mathews are the team captains. Kelly is an all-league talent who is a Lock Haven lacrosse commit and Mathews is another top offensive threat. Junior Greta Burns and sophomore Bianca Comanda are two of the other main contributors for a team that can sometimes get hot from deep.

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11) Pennsbury vs. 22) Penncrest
Winner plays 6) Abington

Pennsbury in the playoffs has become a staple over the last half-decade and while the Falcons don’t have a first-round bye this year, they’ll still be a formidable out. Sofia Vitucci is one of the most capable scorers in District I and probably the entire state, the junior able to fill it up from every level and create leverage with a poised, polished game.

Frank Sciolla’s group is also as rigid as they come defensively, able to wear down teams with patient offense then frustrate them with a denial on the other end. Senior Neveah Dash has made a career of clutch shots, Layla Matthias is a multi-tool junior who defends, rebounds and has a keen passing eye. Pennsbury’s depth is an asset, a dozen players capable of helping in any manner of ways, with Daniella MacDonald adding shooting, Izzy Ruta size, Neve Davis  leadership, Presley Foote a scoring spark and on and on down the lineup.

After making the jump to Class 6A this year, Penncrest snuck into the district tournament with an eight-game win streak late in the season. The Lions (14-9) dropped their regular-season finale and Central League playoff opener to Springfield-Delco (both games) to break the streak but should have a lot of confidence heading into this one after their late-season surge. Penncrest is led by 5-7 shooting guard Bailey Garrison, 6-0 forward Kathryn Harding and 5-5 guard Emily Huggins. However, coach Larry Johnson likes to mix up his lineups, so you’re never quite sure who might pop off for the Lions.

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12) Great Valley vs. 21) North Penn
Winner plays 5) Spring-Ford


Senior forward Lauren Frederick and Great Valley host North Penn on Friday. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Great Valley won its home opener and two road playback games for a spot in states a year ago and the senior-led Patriots wouldn’t mind a similar postseason run in 2023. Great Valley runs its offense through senior forward Lauren Frederick in the high post. Senior wing Gia Sioutis and senior guard Laura Lum, the team’s two other captains, are often who she is looking for. Senior guard Taia Diprinzio was a starter for last season’s run, and junior guard Julia Curran joins the group of seniors in GV’s starting five.

North Penn is back in the postseason after just barely missing the cut last year, accomplishing a major goal for second-year head coach and program alum Brianna Cullen. For her junior-laden roster, it’s a huge opportunity to not only get some playoff reps but try to go on a run.

Senior Abby Plaugher was a freshman the last time the Knights made the playoffs in the 2019-20 season, but it’s a new venture for the rest of the rotation. Junior Caleigh Sperling has built on a good sophomore year, the wing capable of dropping in 20 on anybody while Liv Stone and Kelly Donnelly have continued their growth and sophomore Cameron Crowley has been extremely steady at the point, passing the opportunities to score onto her teammates.

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13) Pennridge vs. 20) Garnet Valley
Winner plays 4) Souderton

This is a big deal for Pennridge to host a home playoff game. It’s something the Rams haven’t done in at least 15 years and something that’s been a goal for this group since the beginning of the season under first-year coach Jason Rapp. Goldey-Beacom commit Katie Yoder is an athletic wing/forward adept at driving to the hoop and finishing through contact. Sophomore guard Ella Brown is averaging double figures as well, providing some outside shooting.

Junior Anna Croyle, a standout soccer player, is another terrific athlete and adds strong defense and a scoring punch. Senior guards Olivia Poole and Grace Roscia are two more veteran presences in the starting five.

In comparison to the Rams’ veteran group, Garnet Valley is led by its sophomore core. Haylie Adamski (17.1 ppg), a 5-11 guard/wing with a versatile skill set, and Kylie Mulholland (10.5 ppg). are GV’s go-to players with classmate Savannah Saunders, junior Jordan Daubenberger and senior Mia Zebley also chipping in. Garnet Valley, one of the district’s traditional power programs, was a quarterfinalist last season, upsetting third-seeded Methacton to get there. This is a much different group, but the program has plenty of winning experience to pull from to try and pull off an upset run again.

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14) Council Rock South vs. 19) Upper Dublin
Winner plays 3) Plymouth Whitemarsh

Both of these squads were state qualifiers last year, but only one gets to keep its season going after this one. 

Council Rock South (16-6) has been on a tear since a Jan. 17 loss to Neshaminy, coming into the postseason with seven straight wins before taking Plymouth Whitemarsh to the brink in their SOL opener. Senior forward Karissa Smedley, a Georgian Court recruit, paves the way for the Hawks, contributing in a multitude of ways. Sophomore guards Liliana Metrick, a 5-4 sharpshooter, and Kathryn O’Kane, 5-5 point guard, solidify the backcourt, while senior stretch forward Jess Mangoni and senior wing Katie Purpura round out the starting five. Sophomore forward Fiona Reckner, junior wing Cam Gregory and junior guard Lily Bross are key pieces as well for a group that likes to push the pace and has shooting all over the floor.

Upper Dublin came into the season with one of the least experienced rosters around, starting two freshmen and two juniors who were on JV last season for much of the year and it showed in some close losses to teams at the top of the district standings. The return of junior Amy Ngo in mid-January was a welcome boost to both the program and local basketball scene as a whole, but she’s still not at 100 percent after missing 11 months with a devastating knee injury.

The Cardinals have been competitive all year, freshman point guard Megan Ngo - Amy’s younger sister - playing poised beyond her years and fellow freshman Colleen Besachio a presence offensively and defensively as a mobile forward. Twins Nora and Brighid Brady have been mainstays, defending well and hitting some threes while seniors Alaina Sanders and Lili Kleiman - both standout soccer players - have rounded out the rotation.

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15) Methacton vs. 18) Coatesville
Winner plays 2) Haverford High


Methacton senior Cassidy Kropp and the Warriors will host a shorthanded Coatesville team Friday. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL File)

While it seemed like the Warriors would take a step back from a year ago when they finished first in the PAC and had a first-round bye, they didn’t drop off to the level some expected. Having players like Cassidy Kropp and Mairi Smith definitely helps in that regard, the seniors leading the way to a third-place finish in the loaded PAC Liberty and a first-round home game. Kropp, who just recently passed 1,000 career points, rarely exits the floor while carrying a heavy mix of scoring, distributing and ball-handling on top of guarding the top perimeter opponent and the 6-foot-2 Smith is an athletic presence around the rim on both ends.

Sophomore Abby Arnold has emerged on the scene as a potent scorer, getting her groove back after an injury sidelined her for a few games in January. Senior Reana Torres can knock down shots from the perimeter and senior guards Ashley Fisher and Morgan Coupe have provided good minutes in their expanded roles.

Despite having to replace 1,000-point scorer Danae Ellzy heading into the season, Coatesville (14-9) matched its 14-win total from last season when the Raiders were also the No. 18 team. The Raiders proved themselves a dangerous team, one worthy of a postseason bid, in a Ches-Mont semifinal against West Chester Rustin, getting out to an early lead before losing steam in the second half. However, Coatesville will be shorthanded heading into districts as three seniors, including star guard Dejah Morris, aren’t allowed to play due to PIAA transfer rules. Junior guards Serenity Burgess and Alexis Fields and junior wing Kaitlyn Ward will have to lead the way and others will have to rise to the occasion for Coatesville to find a way to take down the Warriors and continue its season.

16) West Chester Henderson vs. 17) Central Bucks East (Saturday at 1 p.m.)
Winner plays 1) Perkiomen Valley

West Chester Henderson missed the playoffs during a seven-win 2021-22 campaign, but the Warriors (14-8) doubled their win total this season to earn a home playoff opener. Henderson had seven straight wins before closing its season with a loss to Shanahan that kept it out of the Ches-Mont playoffs. Juniors Jackie Shea and Whitney Evans are the Warriors’ go-to scorers. Shea, a 5-11 forward, and Evans, a 5-4 guard, complement each other well. Sophomore guard Lilli Bertrando (5-5) and junior forward Lilly Person (5-11) are two of the team's other top options. Freshman guard Kaitlyn Miller has hit some big threes this season and freshman Bailey Schalleur has stepped up on occasion as well.

CB East is in a similar position as a year ago by starting its playoff quest on the road, albeit a few seeding places higher. The Patriots, who came through a gauntlet of SOL Colonial and Patriot division opponents dotting this bracket, will hope that preparation is enough to see them through. They also have Anna Barry, the standout junior guard adding even more to her game this season as she went from long-range specialist to a two-way player. It’s a pretty senior-heavy group in general, although junior Chantal Van Dongeren has stepped up as a defensive stopper and strong rebounder. Erin LeRay and her twin sister Shayne are second-year rotation mainstays as seniors, with Erin adding a secondary scorer and ball-handler with Barry in the backcourt. Senior Kendall Gregor has put together a nice season, the forward able to score inside but also bringing a reliable shot out past the arc to stretch defenses.


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