MLK Weekend Wrap – Up

RADNOR, Pa.– Nerney Field House on the campus of Cabrini College served as host to the 10^th annual Blue Star High School Invitational. Ten high school teams from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, served as the diverse field for this years Invitational. Teams in the 2016 event included one ranked nationally team, Neumann-Goretti, the highly ranked  teams from both New York (Christ the King) and New Jersey (Rutgers Prep), along with three other programs ranked in the top third of their state rankings.

All those high rankings ultimately mean talent, and the Invitational definitely had its share on the floor this year… 6 of the 10 schools participating had at least one senior signed to a college letter of intent.

Unlike last year’s unpredicted ice storm that crippled the Philadelphia area, this year the weather cooperated and the tournament was able to run on time, draw good crowds and college coach interest on this Sunday of Martin Luther-King holiday weekend.

Germantown Academy Patriots (Pa.) 50  Upper Dublin Cardinals (Pa.) 43

The Patriot defense struggled in the first half but locked up much better in half number two to defeat a scrappy Upper Dublin team 50-43. Erin Lindahl (2016 – 5-9 – G – Emory) led all scorers with 17, and Cat Polisano (2018 – 5-9 – G) added 14 for the Patriots, while Josie Barrett led all Cardinal scorers with 12 points.

Neumann Goretti Saints 53 (Pa.)  Ursuline Raiders (De.) 35

A fast paced, up and down game was expected and that is what those in the gym got. This one lacked no intensity issues whatsoever. Ursuline gave Goretti all they could handle for 14 plus minutes of the first half but the Saints Alisha Kebbe and Kamiah Smalls simply wore on the Raiders. One mistake with Neumann-Goretti could put you down 10 and that is what happened right before half time.

In the second half the Saints kept up the pressure and advanced their lead to the eventual 18 point win. The Raiders had no one in double-figures and were led by Maggie Connolly with 9 points, while the Saints put three players into double-figures. Kamiah Smalls led all scorers with 14 while Alisha Kebbe had 12 and Chyna Nixon added 11 points.

Christ the King Royals (NY.) 31  Rutgers Prep Argonauts (NJ.) 62

When it comes to describing Rutgers Prep, the first few lines always include the words: “well coached,” “plays as a team,” etc.  Well, here we go again. The Argonauts are legendary for being well coached and playing the total team concept, something you can count on every year.

Rutgers Prep strategically attacked Christ the King and took away what the Royals wanted do offensively. The result was that the Argonauts frustrated the Royals to a 31 point final output and coincidentally, a 31-point victory. The Argonauts had three players in double figures. Niki Metzel led with 15, Jahsyni Knight had 12 and Gabi Redden finished with 11. The Royals were paced by Dominique Toussaint and Sydney Zambrotta with 8 points apiece.

Possibly the most impressive thing about Rutgers Prep is that they only lose senior Niki Metzel after this year. The Argonauts will have a very good, battle tested nucleus back next season, and of course, they’ll have Coach Mary Coyle Klinger who recently picked up her 500^th win also.

Agnes Irwin Owls (Pa.) 31  Seton Keough Gators (Md.) 56

Seton Keough took a little time to get going but once they did coach Tom Gizzi’s group from Baltimore methodically put Agnes Irwin away. The Gators blitz was spurred on by a 17 point second quarter and a balanced 19 point third quarter… Balance was the theme of the day for Seton Keough as the Gators had 14 players score and no one in double figures. When the final buzzer sounded, Seton Keogh took a 56-31 win back to Charm City. Seton Keough was led by Jaya Green and Sara Minnis with 6 points apiece.  Agnes Irwin got 7 points from guard Alex Blomstrom.

Bishop Shanahan Eagles (Pa.) 48  Paul VI Eagles (NJ.) 41

The battle of the Eagle mascot was just that, a battle. Bishop Shanahan was pretty well known when they walked in the gym Sunday. Coach Burbidge had his team sitting at 12-1 coming into the e game, ranked 25^th in the state (PA) and atop of the Ches-Mont league standings. Paul VI is young and are basically an unknown to the inter-league and state play.

Paul VI stayed right with the more experienced Eagles of Bishop Shanahan leading by one at the half. The second half remained a defensive struggle for both teams, but Courtney Warley scored 10 of her game high 23 points in the fourth quarter. Bishop Shanahan beat back the very game Paul VI group 48-41. Paul VI was led by freshman Carly Stroemel who had 10 points.

QUICKHITTERS

Josie Barrett – 2017 – 5-8 – Guard – Upper Dublin (Pa.) – Good three-point range… Has a decent first step… Plays hard… Not afraid to take the big shot.

Maggie Connolly – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Ursuline Academy (Del.) – Has three-point range… Plays hard… Moves well without the ball.

Olivia Dabney – 2017 – 6-1 – Guard – Rutgers Prep (N.J.) – Getting better every time we see her…Smooth…Solid handle…Has the talent to be special, now starting to realize that talent.

Jaya Green – 2017 – 5-10 – Forward – Seton Keough (Md.) – Prototypical college wing build…Long reach…Plays all out…Not afraid to bang inside…Routinely comes away with balls against bigger players.

Jabria Ingram – 2018 – 5-6 – Guard – Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) – Solid frame… Quick off the dribble… Attacks the basket… Can score in tight.

Jahsyni Knight – 2018 – 5-6 – Guard – Rutgers Prep (N.J.) – Extraordinary handle, has all the ball handling moves…Quick with the ball…Great first step…Good vision in traffic.

Alisha Lewis – 2019 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Ursuline Academy (Del.) – Young but very seasoned point guard… Makes great decisions in tight spaces… Great handle… Can score when needed… Extremely cool under pressure.

Chyna Nixon – 2017 – 5-10 –- Forward – Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) – Can leap out of the gym… Great first step… Good touch around the hoop… Plays well in transition… Makes shots and free throws when needed.

Cat Polisano – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Germantown Academy (Pa.) – Scorer’s mentality… Handles pressure well… Aggressive defensively… Makes free throws.

Gabi Redden – 2017 – 5-10 – Forward – Rutgers Prep (N.J.) – Solid post player…Good back to the basket moves…Finishes strong…Has good hands and feet.

Carly Stroemel – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Paul VI (N.J.) – Agile for her size…Progressing quickly…Developing a sense for the ball defensively…Starting to make big plays.

Courtney Warley – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward – Bishop Shanahan (Pa.) – Solid and physical…Draws a lot of attention and activity…Makes foul shots… A work in progress where her post-up game is concerned.