Episcopal’s Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf, left, and Marple Newtown’s Haley Levy mix it up on a pass to Keffer-Scharpf in the first quarter Friday. (Pete Bannan – MediaNews Group).
By Matt Smith
It was a simple gesture, but not something you see everyday from high school athletes.
Moments after Episcopal Academy’s Riley Cassidy led her team to a 49-22 victory over Marple Newtown Friday, the senior guard went over to every official and gave them a fist-bump.
Cassidy’s courteousness has been part of her basketball routine ever since she was a little kid.
“My CYO coach encouraged it,” she said. “You know, just to thank the refs and be respectful. They’re taking their time to come out and officiate, and it’s something I like to do.”
Cassidy likely made the officials’ jobs easier. Whenever she had the ball, it seemed, she swished baskets. In the fourth quarter alone, Cassidy drilled four 3-point field goals and scored 13 of Episcopal’s 18 points. Overall, Cassidy netted 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field for the Churchwomen (2-0).