O’Hara girls come home champs


Sts. Neumann-Goretti used to be an afterthought when conversations turned to discussion of possible champions. Three years ago, the Saints were winless. Two years ago, they won 15. Last year, they won 19.

This year, they won 20 … but it was one too few.

Talk about heartache. The Saints had league juggernaut Cardinal O’Hara on the proverbial ropes in the championship game Feb. 28 at St. Joseph’s University. But the defending league champion Lions regrouped after relinquishing an 11-point, second-half lead, forced overtime, and survived a heart-thumping, 45-41 decision.
The low-scoring affair was the result both of poor shooting and steady defense, but it was definitely one for the ages.

“We have great teachers,” said O’Hara coach Linus McGinty, referring to assistant coaches Chris Genther and Lauren Friel. “I’m happy for them and I am really happy for our kids.”

McGinty has usually been quite happy for his players and staff. The Lions have won seven titles under his tutelage, and have reached the championship in each of his 12 seasons. This latest victory might have been the most tantalizing, because the Saints outscored the Lions by 15-4 in the fourth quarter and appeared ready to topple Goliath.

Later, several O’Hara players were visibly relieved that the underdog Saints, who defeated O’Hara once and also lost an overtime contest to O’Hara during the regular season, were finally finished.

“I couldn’t imagine myself standing there watching them celebrate,” said senior Kim Benton. “They played hard. It looked like we were in good shape [heading into the fourth quarter with a 36-25 lead] but we didn’t put them away. I think we did a nice job in overtime.”

Meghan Gardler’s 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, combined with Heather Scanlon’s nearly identical output (12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks), offset a terrific performance by Neumann-Goretti’s junior standout Gloria Brown, whose 13-point, 18-rebound contribution was amazing to watch.

“This was a great team effort,” said Scanlon. “Everyone contributed.”

Saints coach Chip Reitano was proud of his girls’ effort.

“It was a great experience being in this game,” he said. “We’ll take a lot away from this and try to come back next year.”

If they do, it’ll be for yet another round of exhilaration or heartache.

John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@comcast.net.