City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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Westtown girls basketball’s reign atop the Friends Schools League began five years ago with a nine-point win over Moorestown Friends in the league title game.

After COVID canceled the 2020-21 FSL season, the Moose returned to their seat on the throne in 2022 and 2023. They made it four straight league titles on Friday night with a 64-33 championship win over Friends’ Central at Tom Gola Arena.

Senior 6-foot-1 forward Michelle Olak hasn’t been there for all four Westtown championships, but she has the unique distinction of being the only Moose player in the rotation for the last three FSL championship squads.

“I feel like it’s just been very incredible to see the growth we’ve made each year,” Olak said. “Being able to be part of a winning team and just everybody who appreciates winning and learning from losing as well. It’s just an incredible experience to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and that’s what happens when you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals.”

The Westtown girls basketball team poses with after beating Friends’ Central in the Friends Schools League girls championship game Friday at Tom Gola Arena. (Mark Jordan/CoBL)

The Moose have just two seniors in Olak and Temple commit Savannah Curry, who arrived on campus last season. Junior Vianna Kanyamiheto-Watson is the only other Westtown  player who has been around the program for three years.

With uber-talented eighth graders Jessie Moses and Jordyn Palmer and freshman Atlee Vanesko being introduced to the team last season, the Moose had seniors Grace Sundback (Delaware), a three-year player, and Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick (Seton Hall) to lead the way.

Heading into her senior year, she knew it was her turn to do the same.

“I definitely over the summer had a big switch in my mental,” Olak said. “Just being able to contribute more on the floor and have my voice louder on the floor has been really good.”

As it has been all season, Westtown was guided by its youthful stars on Friday. Moses scored 26 points and Palmer compiled 21 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and four assists. Friends’ Central, which was led by junior Logyn Greer’s 11 points, hung through the first 12 minutes before Westtown closed the first half on an 11-0 run to go up 36-18. 

Moses and Palmer combined for 34 at the break and added on after half as Westtown scored 14 of the first 16 points of the third quarter to run away with things. 

“It’s been really incredible to see their personal growth on and off the court because we go to boarding school,” Olak said. “We’re together all the time. They’re just incredible young girls. I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.”

Olak looked up to seniors like Kaylene Smikel (Rutgers) from the 2022 championship team. She marveled at Smikel’s work ethic and has tried to build on the standard Smikel set.

The younger players have valued the importance of what Olak brings to the table.

“She’s definitely a leader,” Moses said. “I feel like for last year especially, she really guided me through, being younger, in eighth grade and experiencing varsity basketball and playing under coach Fran for the first time. She was a really good role model for me.”

Olak is one of Westtown’s first two players off the bench. She didn’t find the scoring column on Friday night but still helped space the floor and aided in a dominant defensive effort that held Friends’ Central to a combined 11 points in the second and third quarters.

“Michelle’s been a godsend for us as a program,” Westtown coach Fran Burbidge said. “She can defend really well. She defends all five positions. She shoots the three really well. Somebody’s going to end up getting a really good player with Michelle Olak.”

Olak hasn’t officially decided where she will play next year, but she knows it won’t just be basketball. She plans on continuing her hoops and track careers at the next level. She finished third in the 100 meter hurdles at the PAISAA championships last spring, and is eyeing another medal this year.

Before then, she and her teammates still have some goals left to accomplish before they finish their season, including a third straight PAISAA girls basketball championship.

“The love keeps building and building as the season’s going on,” Olak said. “We’re not done yet. This is just No. 1 this season.”

Westtown School 64, Friends’ Central 33

By Quarter

FCS:  11 | 7 | 4 | 11 || 33
WTN:  20 | 16 | 14 | 14 || 64

Scoring

FCS: Logyn Greer 11, Nal’la Bennett 9, Faith Watson 4, Saniyah Washington 4, Phoenix Walker 2, Kaiya Rain Tucker 2, Sydney Williams 1.

WTN: Jessie Moses 26, Jordyn Palmer 21, Olivia Jones 7, Savannah Curry 4, Aidan Langley 4, Atlee Vanesko 2.