OAKS, PA – As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches ever closer to yet another basketball season, high school teams across the country are working to strike the balance between uncertainty and preparation. With a mix of hybrid models, online classes, local health regulations, and evolving policy from state governing bodies, it’s enough to make one’s head spin.
One byproduct of the current situation has been an expansion of fall leagues all across the country. Navigating the pandemic and the maze of rules already in place by state associations, players and teams that want to play are finding a way this fall. In the Greater Philadelphia region, the storied Golden Hoops brand wrote another chapter this month, attracting a ton of talent from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC, and New Jersey.
This past weekend, we were on hand for the last games on the schedule and then the semi-finals and championships in each of the two divisions.
In Pool B, the Knights knocked off MTL in the semis, to set up a match up with the Cougars, fresh off an impressive win over the YOU. The Cougars opened the game on a quick 9-0 tear and never looked back, taking home the championship 50-37. Senior sharpshooter Alexa Abbonizio is staying close to home to play her college ball at West Chester University, but her range is anything but local. She’s tough, comes in clutch, and flat out competes as a senior leader as well. Classmate Rachel Conran made her share of three ball’s as well throughout the weekend, and turned in an all-around performance that earned her MVP honors. For the Knights, it all starts with their senior floor general, Julie DiCampli, who sets the tone with her creative passing and seems to have eyes in the back of her head at times. Junior guard Laney Costin has a versatile game and makes a ton of those heads-up, hustle plays that just lead to winning games. Another player to keep an eye on is 2023 wing/forward Laine McGurk, a jack-of-all-trades athlete who can stuff the stat sheet all over.
Onward to Pool A, all participants in the Final 4 were battle-tested. A tough and loaded young Rising Stars squad, led by household names you’ve likely heard before in Zoe Brooks, Anaiah Jenkins, and Kennedy Umeh, impressed throughout the duration of league play this month, even against more veteran teams. Like some of the teams we saw, most players on this team hailed from different high schools and club organizations, so it was fun to watch these ladies play on the same team. However, in their semi-final duel with Delco Hoops, they met their match in a tough game that was very fun to watch. On the opposite side of the bracket, Villanova commit Lucy Olsen had her Rockets team playing well heading into a match-up with the also-impressive Ladies of Steele. Steele proved to be strong enough to advance past the super senior Olsen, setting up the championship showdown.
In the final, Delco Hoops led most of the way, behind a stellar shooting performance and the tremendous defensive play of junior guard Sydni Scott. Frankly, Scott seemed to be on a mission all weekend, and continues to be a player who comes up big in big moments. Kennesaw State commit Amaris Baker provided a key veteran presence and can make big shots. Another viable scoring option for Delco was Marist commit Siobhan Boylan, who shines out on the wing. Last but certainly not least, a player we profiled this summer who is certainly on the rise is 2022 post Maggie Doogan, who did her damage in the paint and was proficient in the high-low game and on the glass. Just when you thought Delco was going to pull away, Ladies of Steele mounted a furious, exciting comeback. Hannah Hidalgo has the wow factor at the point, and made things happen over and over. She made plays on defense, facilitates for others, and the jump shot from deep and off the bounce were both falling. 2022 forward Nile Miller is on the radar of her share of colleges too, as an athletic forward who can rebound and defend, with a face up game on offense to go along with that. Jefferson U commit Janice Ashong provided a versatile senior presence as well throughout the event. When the closing buzzer sounded, Delco managed to maintain a one point lead to hold on for a hard-fought victory, 65-64. Scott took home game MVP honors.
Here are a few other players who shined bright in the Golden Hoops Philly Fall League this year:
Ava Sciolla, 2022 Guard, Da Hills
Sofia Vitucci, 2024 Guard, Da Hills
Kaitlyn King, 2023 Guard, Team MTL
Riley Angstadt, 2023 Point Guard, The YOU
Emma Dempsey, 2021 Wing, The YOU
Talayah Walker, 2024 Guard, Rising Stars
Amari DeBerry, 2021 Post, Queen City (UCONN)
Gretchen Dolan, 2023 Guard, Queen City
Zaire McNeil, 2021 Combo Guard, SPUYG
Marianna Papazoglou, 2021 Guard, Saint’s Angels (Penn)
Kaci Mikulski, 2024 Guard, Saint’s Angels
Haley Phalines, 2021 Forward, Team Rollers
Aleah Snead, 2023 Forward, GirlzBall2
Saniyah Glenn-Bello, 2022 Wing, GirlzBall2
Best of luck to all of these teams and players as they move forward, hopefully toward some sort of high school basketball season this winter. Stay safe, stay smart, stay healthy, and keep working!
