City of Basketball Love

Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3)
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(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s annual “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2024-25 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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The cycle keeps repeating itself in Warminster.

Archbishop Wood ended the 2023-24 season with a fourth-straight PIAA championship, becoming the first girls’ team in the state to accomplish the feat in 20 years. Along the way, the Vikings captured a PCL and District 12 title and moved into first all time for state titles amongst girls’ programs in the state with their ninth overall PIAA title.

Now they get to start the whole thing over again.

“We have the same goals every year of winning the PCL and winning states, but every year it’s a new team,” senior guard Emily Knouse said. “We take the time every fall to build up cohesiveness and I think we’re doing well. The new pieces are doing a good job of fitting in but also standing out in their own ways.”

This year’s Vikings team comes back even deeper and more talented than a year ago thanks to a combination of newcomers, additions and returnees. Despite needing to replace three starters in last year’s seniors Ava Renninger (FDU), Alexa Windish (Kutztown) and Lauren Greer (St Joe’s) all now at the college level, Wood and coach Mike McDonald have plenty of options.

Senior Emily Knouse is back for her final run with the Vikings, the 6-foot guard and St. Joe’s recruit coming off a breakout junior campaign that earned her first team all-state plaudits. As a repeat co-captain, she’s assuredly one of the team’s leaders while, in a bit of a rarity, she’ll be the team’s only senior.

“I don’t feel like I am, I think the girls look up to me and know they can ask me questions but I’m not the only one going to voice my opinion,” Knouse said. “It’s more of a team and not just me being the only one leading.”

Junior co-captain Sophia Topakas is the other returning starter. Topakas, who started every game last year, has looked more assertive and confident this offseason and she adds versatility out of the guard spot.

Two of the other starting spots will be filled by the team’s two biggest additions, one coming from within and the other externally. 

Junior Colleen Besachio is finally ready to make her official Wood debut, the 6-foot forward healthy after an ACL injury last October derailed her first season with the Vikings. Besachio has looked sharp this fall, the sharpshooting forward knocking in shots from the perimeter while also attacking the basket.

“It’s been easier for me, I’ve seen the girls play for a whole season so I know who likes to do what,” Besachio said. “Everyone helps you out whether it’s in practices or in games, so I’ve really been able to focus on fitting back in.”

Ryan Carter is also ready for her Archbishop Wood debut. The standout sophomore, ranked in the top 30 in the class of 2027 by ESPN, transferred to Wood after two years at Penn Charter.

Adding the 5-foot-11 Carter, a stellar athlete, adds a different dynamic to the Vikings lineup. While she’s still fresh to the program, Carter has been working nonstop to get used to her new surroundings.

“The girls, especially our captains, have done a good job of helping me learn the plays and everyone’s personalities,” Carter said. “Having a chance to play with everyone so much early on getting ready for the season, we’ve all really built a connection with each other.”

Sophomore Mikayla Finnegan, the team’s top reserve last year, will slide into the fifth starting spot. Finnegan, like her older sister Delaney, is a tenacious defender who can handle any assignment she’s given. The guard also shot 40 percent on threes last season and she’ll likely get plenty of chances playing off her teammates this season.

“Finn does a great job setting the tone on defense,” Knouse said. “She gets up on everybody when we’re playing full court and always does a great job of making the hustle plays that again, just really set the tone.”

Sophia McDonald and Regan Przepioski also return as rotation players as sophomores while Emma Seckinger looks poised for an increased role after a strong summer. Junior Emma Yogis is another candidate for an upward trend, the guard providing a quick-release outside shot.

“They all played a lot, there’s no big drop off when they’re coming in,” Topakas said. “They all fit in so no matter who might be out there, we’re on the same page.”

This year’s freshman class, like last season’s, also looks ready to contribute. Casey Thompson, a 5-foot-10 wing, had a very strong spring and summer and despite being slowed by an injury this fall, could be an option off the bench.

Guard Zoe Whalen - following her older sister Annie, a 2019 grad, through the program - has earned some early props as well for her energy, hustle and defense.

“Zoe’s really shown what she can do, no matter who’s on the court with her,” Carter said.

Before Wood starts thinking about states, it will have to navigate a typically stacked nonleague slate of games before the grind of PCL play. The Vikings are making their first trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona for the first time since 2019-20, they’re in the loaded field at the Art Turner Memorial Classic, starting their season with a matchup against national power Sidwell Friends then facing Catholic (VA) a day later.

Wood will also play in the She Got Game Classic a week later against Winter Haven (Fla.) and Mount Zion Prep (Md.). The Vikings will also face Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) in late January, they’re in the field for the Blue Star event at Jefferson on Jan. 5 and will take on District 1 6A favorite Perkiomen Valley for a second straight year as part of the Hoops for Hope showcase at Arcadia on Jan. 19.

While the Vikings did win the PCL title last year, needing two overtimes to outlast Archbishop Carroll, they know there’s no guarantee they go back. Wood has never repeated as PCL champion and as always, there is plenty of talent in the league again this year, so even getting back to the Palestra for the final will be a challenging road.

Wood knows where it wants its season to end, spending the end of March in Hershey and lifting a fifth straight PIAA title. The Vikings also know there’s a long way from the official start of practice to that final weekend and for all the work they’ve already done, it’s not stopping any time soon.

“Everyone steps into the gym knowing we still have a lot to work on,” Besachio said. “Every day is a new day to try something new or step up and anyone on this team can take their chance to prove something.”