City of Basketball Love

By CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The PIAA state playoffs are in sight.

The second round of the District 1 6A tournament is also the first way teams can extend their seasons well into March, a win on Wednesday guaranteeing at least four more games remain. The eight losers go into the playback round, where they’re all two wins away from earning one of the last couple bids into the PIAA bracket. 

Here's a look at all eight games:

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1) Perkiomen Valley vs. 16) Plymouth Whitemarsh (7:00 PM)

The Vikings (21-3) begin their quest for a third straight District 1 title coming a third straight PAC championship. PV and its cadre of college-bound seniors are on a different level when they’re locked in and this is a group that hasn’t lacked for motivation all year under coach John Russo. Senior Quinn Boettinger (Navy) is always a force inside while senior Grace Galbavy (Wake Forest) is a fluid scorer who is a matchup problem all over the floor. Senior Bella Bacani (Jefferson) orchestrates the show and can bomb in threes while seniors Lena Stein (West Chester) and Grace Miley bring the hustle, energy and defensive intensity. Senior Julia Smith leads a bench unit that also gets minutes from sophomore Katie Nemic and freshman Hannah Evans. 

The Colonials (15-9), fresh off their first district playoff win since their state championship season in 2021-22, know they have a tall task in front of them against the Vikings. PW will show up ready to go and in some of the ways a game against the Colonials’ state champs aided this PV group three years ago, it could help a young PW squad down the line. Taylor Williams is the Colonials’ only senior, filling a key role on the court alongside junior guards Kenna Winland and AJ Avery setting the pace. Sophomore Eliza Meersman plays bigger than she is inside as a relentless rebounder and classmate Olivia Patete is a grinder defensively. Freshman Grace Harvey has shown plenty of fortitude late in games as well for Dan Dougherty’s youthful group.

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8) Council Rock South vs. 9) Conestoga (6:00 PM)

The Golden Hawks’ seniors crossed off a goal of winning an SOL division title, now they’ll look for the first state playoff appearance of their careers. CR South (20-4) was one of the hottest teams in the district, an 18-game win streak propelling them up the rankings and into position for a first round bye before the SOL tournament. Senior Kathryn O’Kane (Scranton soccer) is the team’s engine while senior Fiona Reckner (Franklin & Marshall) has always been a rugged defender and her offense has matched this season. Senior Lil Metrick (Widener) has plenty of range as a shooter and senior twins Sarah (Ursinus) and Maria Freeman (Immaculata field hockey) are both scrappy defenders who can knock down shots too. Junior Bella Rettler has improved all season as a rim protector and rebounder and juniors Emerson Gunther and Gillian Martian add some options off the bench for first year coach Steve Polinsky.

Conestoga’s been one of the most consistent programs in District 1 the last few seasons, AJ Thompson’s Pioneers now seeking a third straight PIAA berth. While ‘Stoga just missed out on a bye, it rolled past Coatesville behind a veteran core looking to make a deeper run than the last two years. The Pioneers (19-6) are paced by their one-two punch of senior Janie Preston (Army), a versatile presence who controls things inside on both ends, and junior Ryann Jennings, an efficient three-level scorer who announced her commitment to Lehigh over the weekend. Senior Ruth Lanouette (M.I.T.) is a disruptive defensive athlete who plays the whole floor and juniors Libby Brown and Maggie Neary will find their shots off their teammates’ attention. Senior Rebecca Schmidt is always an option to knock in some perimeter looks and sophomore Lu Misener brings energy off the bench.

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4) Central Bucks East vs. 13) Spring-Ford (6:00 PM)

The Patriots (20-5) more than earned the opportunity to start their playoffs at home and after an odd quirk that had them play their first 11 games in gyms other than their own, they’ll certainly take it. It’s a veteran group for coach Liz Potash looking to make it back-to-back state playoff appearances, although it’s a sophomore in Haley Moran that has stepped to the forefront as the team’s catalyst. Moran is a whirlwind of energy, a shifty scorer who just keeps going and going. Junior Jess Lockwood has been right in step, the sweet-shooting forward also mixing it up inside as a strong lead duo. Senior Sydney Ralph and junior Natalie Berndt are both athletic wings who defend well and they, along with junior Emma Penecale, can knock down perimeter shots in an offense that moves the ball well.

For a Rams (19-7) group composed of quite a few seniors that had to wait a few years to get their shot, a state playoff berth would be an impressive accomplishment. Longtime Spring-Ford coach Mickey McDaniel has a very solid group led by senior Kareena Preuss, a starter on last year’s state finalist and a confident scorer. Senior Lilly Brescia has put together a nice season coming off a knee injury while senior point guard Devon Chamberlain (Alvernia) has done the same following a bad ankle injury last season. Senior Christian Tiffan has taken on an increased role and senior Haley Prophet adds support off the bench. Sophomores Emma Kaercher and Miley Maloney, alongside freshman Brynn Stiles, have worked their way into the rotation as the the start of the next wave of Spring-Ford basketball.

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5) Downingtown East vs. 12) Chester (6:00 PM)

Downingtown East (21-3) has only lost to two teams all season long: twice to district rival Downingtown West — including in the Ches-Mont championship game and once to Germantown Academy. Other than that it’s been a breakthrough season for Darren Domsohn and his Cougars after a first-round appearance in states last year, with most of the rotation slated to return yet again next year. The junior class is strong and deep with guards and wings: Charlotte Aldridge, Chloe Hunold, Grace Hodges, and Jazlyn Boyd all start, and sophomore guard Kendall Chiavelli already has a lot of varsity minutes in her pocket. When they’re shooting well — which is certainly more often than not — they’re a hard group to guard. 

Chester, on the other hand, just won its first District 1 playoff game in a decade, the Clippers (19-4) winning the Del-Val League championship. Ja’Mya Muhammad is the only senior in the rotation for head coach Marvin Dukes Sr., who guided his team into the District 1 5A playoffs last year but lost in the first round. A strong junior class, led by Imani Dorsey and 1,000-point scorer Jordan Dennis, forms the core of the group; Muhammad, Dorsey and Dennis combined for 47 of Chester’s 57 points in the opening-round win over Methacton. Zay’Yonna Clark, Dajah Green and Zayana Vann all provide depth for the Clippers. 

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2) Garnet Valley vs. 15) North Penn (Feb. 18, 5:30 PM)

A deep run into the state playoffs last year carried over into an outstanding regular season and a Central League title for the Jaguars (23-1) that has them thinking of more. Longtime GV coach Joe Woods has a talented group that’s pretty skilled offensively and gets after teams on the defensive end. It’s a senior trio leading the way, led by Haylie Adamski (Lafayette), a true two-way wing with plenty of range as a shooter. Savannah Saunders (St. Joe’s lacrosse) is an ace defender who has been a bit more confident finding her offense this year and senior point guard Kylie Mulholland, a Division II prospect, can set the table, score, rebound and defend in whatever ways needed. Haylie’s younger sisters, sophomore twins Addie and Kylie Adamski, round out the first five and junior Katie Dwyer is the top reserve for a group that leans heavily on its starters.

The Knights (13-11) met the Jaguars in the state quarterfinals last year, GV winning that one on its way to the semis. It’s not the same group that coach Brianna Cullen is bringing into this one, North Penn a decent bit younger than last year although she has an excellent floor leader in senior point guard Cam Crowley. Sophomore Lily Brown has put together an all-league caliber season, the lefty wing a consistent scorer who is still getting better. Senior Leah Mikulski and junior Tallie Smink both played last year, the two helping space the floor and rebound. Senior Lily McGee (Immaculata soccer) has been a spark for the Knights while sophomores Mehya Godhania, Jadyn Sperling and Lacie Haddock along with freshman Paityn Debro are part of the youth movement.

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7) Downingtown West vs. 10) Haverford High (6:00 PM)

Downingtown West is riding high entering the district playoffs, as the Whippets (21-4) captured the Ches-Mont League trophy for the first time in a dozen years, sophomore guard Hayden Blair playing hero in the title win over archrival Downingtown East. Head coach Mike Young has a deep rotation featuring all four classes, from senior Sammie Schurtz and Olivia Young through freshmen Kylee Domsohn and Eme McComsey, two players with bright futures. But this is new territory for everybody in the rotation, after first-round district losses each of the last three seasons.

The Fords (19-5) eased past CB South in their opener behind 16 points from senior 6-2 wing/forward Rian Dotsey and 10 from senior guard Megan Kelly. They will be looking to make a fourth straight district quarterfinal appearance with a victory. Dotsey, a St. Joe’s commit, is a two-way force and one of the best players in the district. Kelly, senior guard Mya Foley and senior 5-11 wing Natalie Wright are all seasoned veterans, and they’ve been getting quality minutes from freshman guard Grace Maloney and junior forward Maura Gilroy. 

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3) Upper Dublin vs. 14) Pennsbury (6:00 PM)

The Cardinals (21-4) fly into the postseason off their first-ever SOL title. UD coach Morgan Funsten’s crew is a regular at this time of year but once again, they’ll start their postseason run short a key player with junior wing Emilia Coleman (La Salle) ineligible due to transfer rules. The Cardinals still have a strong group, one paced by relentless junior point guard Megan Ngo (FDU) and sophomore Tamia Clark, the bouncy wing in the midst of a breakout season. Sophomore Bridget DiMartile, a three-sport standout, is playing with more confidence and the freshman pair of Ella Morris and Lexi Ngo have been mainstays in the rotation from the first game. Without Coleman, UD could turn to senior Kaitlyn Zacharia, junior Maeve Hogan and sophomore Shannon Connaughton for some relief minutes

While Pennsbury (15-9) almost entirely reshaped its roster from a year ago, the Falcons are again one win away from the state playoffs. Seniors Ava Jordan (Case Western University) and Maggie Burns have been terrific leaders for an otherwise very young group under coach Frank Sciolla, the two vets contributing plenty on the floor as well. Junior Emily Panaro fills all kinds of roles very well, including directing the defense. Sophomore Sammie Haws is coming off a strong first round game against William Tennent and freshman Alyssa Thomas has been a steady hand at point guard all season.

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6) Cheltenham vs. 22) Abington (7:00 PM)

It’s been a special season for the Panthers (20-3), who find themselves a win away from the state playoffs. First-year coach Monique Boykins has helped turn a group of talented players into a cohesive group that went unbeaten on its way to an SOL Freedom title. Senior Jiah Price and juniors Maya Simmons and Paige Powell have formed a potent trio, all three skilled scorers while junior Zoe Thompson has added a steady fourth contributor offensively who can also dominate the glass.

Less than a five minute drive separates Abington from Cheltenham, so the Ghosts won’t have to go far as they look for some payback for a regular season loss. Senior Maya Johnson, the program’s all-time assists leader, will look to set up a second straight upset and qualify for a final state playoff run. Juniors Mikaiya Durham and Aniyah Williams are both capable of putting together a big game offensively, especially from the perimeter. Senior Hailey Hernandez has filled a number of roles for coach Allison Lawson, with the Ghosts (13-10) also getting contributions from Shya Crafton and Vanessa Griffin.

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