By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin) &
Andrew Robinson (@ADrobinson3)
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The 2025 edition of the Maggie Lucas Classic comes to Jefferson University this Sunday for a two-court showcase, with 21 girls’ teams from Southeastern Pennsylvania (and three from Delaware/New Jersey) come up to East Falls for a group of great non-league matchups.
The CoBL staff will be in attendance to check out as many of the games as we can, writing up standouts and several feature stories. Here’s a quick look at all 12 games:
Court 1
Ursuline Academy (Del.) vs. Council Rock South (10:30 AM)
GG Banks and Ursuline (Del.) take on Council Rock South. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
The defending DIAA state champion, Ursuline is aiming for a repeat behind one of the nation’s top underclassmen. Five-star sophomore Jezelle ‘G.G.’ Banks is an uber-talented 5-9 lead guard who can score from all three levels, cause serious problems defensively and also makes highlight-reel passes with regularity. Her primary help comes from a trio of juniors in forward Naiaya Murphy and guards Sania Johnson and Jasmine Butler, with senior guard Olivia O’Hara rounding out the starting lineup; Goldey-Beacom commit Katherine Lange provides shooting off the bench.
Council Rock South has been one of the hottest teams in District 1 over the past few weeks, the Golden Hawks carrying a 10-game win streak into Thursday’s non-league game with Great Valley. It’s a senior-laden group with five of the top seven being fourth year players in the program. They’ll have their work cut out against Ursuline’s high-powered offense but the senior quartet of Kathryn O’Kane, twins Sarah and Maria Freeman and Fiona Reckner are solid defenders. Junior Bella Rettler has gotten better too, the forward recently setting the program record for blocks in a game with senior Lil Metrick and junior Emerson Gunther as quality shooters to space the floor.
Perkiomen Valley vs. Westtown School (12:00 PM)
A few last-minute schedule changes resulted in this game, which instantly became one of the most high-profile matchups of the entire season. Perkiomen Valley, one of the PIAA 6A favorites this year, played national powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) within four points back in December, and has otherwise stormed over most of its competition, including a 23-point win over Archbishop Wood on MLK Day. The Vikings boast an impressive starting five with a ton of talent and chemistry: 6-3 center Quinn Boettinger (Naval Academy), 6-1 wing Grace Galbavy (Wake Forest), 5-10 wing Lena Stein (Kutztown), 5-5 guard Bella Bacani (Jefferson) and 5-9 guard Grace Miley, with 5-8 senior Julia Smith and 5-7 sophomore Hannah Evans giving them production off the bench.
On the flip side, Westtown is a team with not just state championship but potentially national title aspirations, as Fran Burbidge has one heck of a talented roster assembled at the West Chester boarding/day school. The Moose have suffered some injuries this year, sidelining forwards Kennedy Hall (Boston College) and Olivia Jones (Harvard), but there’s more than enough still healthy. Stud sophomores Jordyn Palmer and Jessie Moses, both of whom have several dozen high-major offers in their pockets, are major draws, as is junior guard Atlee Vanesko; senior forward Aidan Langley (Towson) and senior wing Kennedy Henry (Villanova) are high-quality and freshman twins Radhi and Ishana Sundararajan have been contributing in their minutes.
Upper Dublin vs. Lansdale Catholic (1:30 PM)
Megan Ngo (above) and Upper Dublin are in contention for a top seed in District 1 6A. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
It’s a final non-league test for both the Cardinals and the Crusaders before both gear up for the postseason. Upper Dublin is always a top tier defensive outfit and coach Morgan Funsten has a skilled and athletic group that’s been able to put up some points this year as well. Junior Megan Ngo looks sharper and sharper each game coming back from a knee injury and the point guard’s energy radiates on both sides. Sophomore Tamia Clark is a candidate for most improved player in the area, her offensive game expanding to match her athletic ability. Junior Emilia Coleman has fit right in during her first year with UD, already taking top defensive assignments. Sophomore Bridget DiMartile is also a more confident player while freshmen Ella Morris and Lexi Ngo have stepped right into rotational roles.
With Tom Lonergan leading from the sideline, LC has turned into a robust defensive outfit too, so this could be a low-scoring but tight game. The Crusaders are paced by their senior trio of All-Catholics, starting with forward Grace McDonough (JMU) in the middle at 6-foot-2 and the anchor on both ends. Guard Sanyiah Littlejohn (George Mason) has been consistently good at attacking downhill and drawing a ton of trips to the free throw line while Nadia Yemola (Kutztown) can provide instant offense and is a critical piece as a floor-spacer on the perimeter. Sophomore Ali Kaltenbacher is a relentless rebounder with junior Aubrey Mobley adding some craftiness in the backcourt off the bench and freshman Lily Clair can plug in a number of roles as a reserve.
Cardinal O’Hara vs. Audenried Charter (3:00 PM)
Audenried Charter’s already gone up against one Catholic League squad this year, Kevin Slaughter’s Rockets dispatching Archbishop Carroll by four at the end of 2024 as part of a high-level non-league schedule for the defending Public League champions. There’s no doubt the main attention-grabber for Audenried is senior and Penn State commit Shayla Smith, who’s now within 200 points of Sharnetta Stewart for the Public League scoring record; the 5-9 guard is the area’s most electric scorer, with multiple career 40-point games. Sophomore center Nasiaah Russell is a rapidly-developing talent at 6-3 after missing last year due to an ACL, giving them quite the inside-out punch. On top of that, senior guards Senaya Parker and Reynah Rattliff lead a strong supporting cast that also features senior Ikera Ellison and juniors Heaven Reese and Aniya Cheeseboro.
Cardinal O’Hara has its own standout senior in Molly Rullo, the 5-11 Drexel-bound wing a force inside and out; she’s at her best getting to the rim and finishing, but she’s also a strong 3-point shooter who won’t hesitate to let fly. The sophomore class is strong and the future of the program: Brigidanne Donohue is ‘next up’ on the Lions, the 5-10 guard playing point this year while also showing her shooting chops, while classmates Leah Hudak and Carly Wakefield have been giving Chrissie Doogan quality minutes and production as well. Senior point guard Brigid MacGillivray is perhaps the toughest on the squad, constantly diving on the floor or fighting for a rebound.
Shipley School vs. Life Center (N.J.) (4:30 PM)
In a Friends’ Schools League that features national-level powerhouses Westtown and Friends’ Central, Shipley flies a little under-the-radar, but head coach Ellen Bair has a talented roster full of versatile, athletic wings in multiple different classes. Sisters Gabby Vaughn and Melody Vaughn, a junior and 8th grader, are both Division I recruits, as is freshman wing Cidney Stansfield, who at 5-10 can also play inside and out. Seniors Mallory Farr and Anna Pascale and juniors Rikai Williford and Taylor Lasky round out Bair’s top seven.
Haverford High vs. Bishop Shanahan (6:00 PM)
The Fords have established themselves as a top team in District 1 Class 6A again thanks to a sturdy defense and a core of veteran players. Haverford, right in the mix for the top spot in the Central League, usually rolls out four seniors in its first five. Forward Rian Dotsey, a St Joe’s recruit, is a versatile offensive weapon at 6-foot-2 and an intimidating shot-blocker to boot. Natalie Wright gives the Fords plenty of toughness in the frontcourt while seniors Megan Kelly and Mya Fowler are steady hands in a backcourt that’s also gotten a jolt from freshman Grace Maloney. Off the bench, Lauren Pellicane can bring in Maura Gilroy for even more size and freshman Taylor Gleason for a spark in the backcourt.
That’s going to present a tough challenge for a Shanahan squad which had a lot to replace off last year’s District 1 5A champions. Head coach Jim Powers has a young group which has been growing through the season, led by junior shooting guard Carmel Ambrose and sophomore point guard Abby Garrity. They’re getting contributions from plenty more underclassmen, including junior Lauren Foster and sophomores Annie Udo, Kayla Decker and Taylor Bollenbach, who all stand between 5-9 and 6-0 and give Powers some quality size to build around.
Court 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Masterman (10:30 AM)
AJ Avery (above) and Plymouth Whitemarsh are taking on Masterman. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
The Colonials have been trending upward again, PW on a five-game winning run prior to Friday’s matchup with Wissahickon. PW won eight straight to start the year, then dropped six in a row but is back on a positive run. Juniors AJ Avery and Kenna Winland are the team’s catalysts offensively, a pair of guards who are routinely in double figures. PW has been getting strong collective efforts of late, sophomore Eliza Meersman has been rebounding very well while sophomore Olivia Patete and freshman Grace Harvey have started to put their mark on games with defense and some clutch scoring.
The most notable name to know on Maserman is senior forward Jocelyn Goldstein, The senior forward actually scored 1,000 points in fewer games than anybody else in Public League history, doing it while pushing her school to give her team more games and practice time. She’s off to Johns Hopkins in the fall, and is one of four seniors on the roster along with co-captain Sophia Brunelli, Rosie Deguzman-Williams and Emi Gerveni. They’re also getting a quality contribution from freshman guard Peyton Simmons.
Sanford School (Del.) vs. Mount Saint Joseph’s (12:00 PM)
The Mount is in a rebuilding phase, Matt Feeney working with a relatively young roster that’s been trading brief spells of wins and losses. Guard Audrey Rocks and forward Charlotte McDaid are the team’s only seniors and the Magic has gotten a nice push from its underclassmen, especially freshmen Caitlin Cavallaro and Nina Meierdierks. Juniors Morgan Cross and Bridget Horgan have also played important roles for a Mount squad right on the bubble of the District 1 5A playoffs.
The biggest issue they’ll have to deal with on Sanford’s roster is Jada Snow. The 5-11 wing, committed to Seton Hall, is a versatile threat who can take defenders off the bounce and get to the hoop, bully her way around the rim or step out and knock down deep jumpers. She gets help offensively from talented sophomore guards Asia Adams and Adrianna Chambers, the latter another returner from last year’s state semifinalists; senior guard Ellie Carter-Soriano also adds outside shooting ability and veteran leadership, and junior forward Naomi Allen provides some additional interior presence.
Germantown Academy vs. Downingtown East (1:30 PM)
Kendall Chiavelli (above) and Downingtown East have only lost once this season. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
A (mostly) young Patriots roster will get a good test from a Cougars team that’s firmly entrenched among the upper echelon of District 1 Class 6A. GA seniors Jess Kolecki and Gabby Bowes (Millersville) are as seasoned as they come and unsurprisingly have led the way for Lauren Power’s group this season. Flanking them is a talented group that’s gaining some valuable experinece against a tough schedule. Freshman Taylor Williams has established herself as a presence inside offensively and on the glass. Sophomores Clair McKee and Jo Owens have also seen increased roles in the frontcourt, giving GA some size up front. Juniors Sylvie Harrington, Anna Weber and Jennifer Fox fill in the rotation on the wing and in the backcourt.
Downingtown East, which is chasing a top-four seed in the District 1 6A field, is riding a 12-game winning streak as of this writing, head coach Darren Domsohn playing a senior-less lineup that’s taken a big step forward since a promising-but-uneven 2023-24. Sophomore guard Kendall Chiavelli has really come into her own as a scorer, but it’s a generally balanced squad with her and juniors Chloe Hunold and Grace Hodges all quality combo guards who can make shots, set up their teammates and create defensive pressure. Another junior, 6-0 wing Charlotte Aldridge, has good length and versatility with the ability to impact the game in all sorts of ways, and junior wing Jazlyn Boyd does a lot of the dirty work.
Neshaminy vs. Spring-Ford (3:00 PM)
A quality District 1 6A matchup here between two programs that are used to playing well into the postseason, with both in a battle for seeding in the district playoffs this time around, neither team anywhere close to the cut line but both with the potential to finish strong for a top-eight finish and first-round bye. Neshaminy’s led by a dynamic senior in Alena Cofield, a 5-2 Arcadia commit who’s averaging a double-double. She leads an intriguing sophomore core for head coach John Gallagher, who has five in the top six of the rotation: Hayley Kolk (6-1), Mia Raivitch (5-9), Ashlyn Duffy (5-9), Grace Weyler (5-7) and Auslyn Wilkins (5-6) should have Neshaminy competing for SOL titles for the next three years.
Spring-Ford’s got a mix of veterans and youth contributing for head coach Mickey McDaniel, whose rotation goes as many as nine or 10 deep with regularity. He’s got good length in the senior class, including 5-10 wing Kareena Preuss, 5-9 wing Christina Tiffan, 5-9 guard Lilly Brescia and 5-11 forward Haley Prophet, along with 5-9 sophomore Miley Maroney; sophomore point guard Emma Kaercher and senior point guard Devon Chamberlain share ball-handling duties for the Rams. Without a true primary option in the group, the Rams’ depth helps them be tough to defend with a number of players who can create some offense.
Nazareth Academy vs. Imhotep Charter (4:30 PM)
Nazareth Academy hasn’t quite found the same traction as it did last year when the Pandas, in debut season in the PCL, made the league semifinals and second round of the PIAA 4A tournament. Still, it’s an experienced group powered by multi-sport athletes for first year coach John Crouse that has faced a front-loaded PCL slate. Seniors Reese Power and Gracie Sullivan, both Drexel soccer commits, are the top options with Power coming off a First Team All-Catholic junior year. Natalie D’Alfonso, heading to Immaculata for soccer, Rileigh Donohue, heading to Chestnut Hill for soccer, and Abby Rock, heading to Bloomsburg for soccer, supplement a senior-led backcourt.
Anise Geiger (above) and Imhotep are fresh off a win over Audenried Charter. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
Imhotep is riding high after beating Audenried earlier this week, David Hargrove’s Panthers sending up a big sign that they’re ready to take the Pub crown back next month. He’s got a deep group he can rely on, with contributions from seniors through sophomores. Junior twins Geren and Crystal Hawthorne, both right under six feet, are tough two-way players; senior forward Anise Geiger is a Delaware State commit who can really score inside; senior guards Sabria Mann and Calista Gaymon, plus sophomore guards Alston McKenna and Ashlee Boykin, all give them productive minutes.
Central Bucks East vs. West Catholic (6:00 PM)
The Patriots are in the midst of an outstanding regular season, currently fifth in District 1 6A as of this writing, and have done so with minimal home games. Point being, unfamiliar gyms don’t seem to faze them and in general, the team’s shooting has seemed to travel along with its solid defense. Junior wing Jess Lockwood and sophomore point guard Haley Moran are both in the midst of terrific campaigns for coach Liz Potash’s group, a potent 1-2 punch supplemented by a strong supporting cast. In that group is junior Natalie Berndt, a strong wing defender and shooter and senior Sydney Ralph, another rangy defender and high-energy player. Emma Penecale adds another touch of shooting in the starting group and senior Savannah Hayes is a capable defender off the bench.
West Catholic is no stranger to playing tough teams, Messiah Reames’ Burrs battle-tested and in the midst of the Catholic League schedule. Senior forward Nyla Coleman, a Bowie State (Md.) commit, leads a group that’s loaded with juniors and sophomores, though it’s special freshman Milan Trusty who’s opened eyes with her debut season. Juniors Ciani Scott and Ciana Blake are both experienced veterans at this point, and their classmates Ny’Liyah Hayes and Jessica Canty add further depth to the backcourt, as do sophomore Ny’La Haynesworth and senior forward Kiajah Henry.
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