Haverford’s Natalie Wright goes to the net in the first half in the District 1 semifinal against Pennsbury Wednesday night. PETE BANNAN — DAILY TIMES
By Matt Smith
Natalie Wright suffered a broken nose on Feb. 22. She hasn’t missed a game.
Haverford was in the process of winning a District 1 Class 6A second-round game against Methacton when the sophomore forward was walloped in the face.
“I was elbowed,” Wright said after the Fords’ 43-21 victory against Pennsbury in the semifinals Wednesday. “I had the option to get surgery in the next couple of weeks and be out for the rest of the season, or I could just wait until the end of the season.”
Wright’s fear of missing out played a part in her decision. So she opted to wear a protective mask, the fashionable trend for NBA players these days. In two games with the apparatus, Wright hasn’t skipped a beat. The team’s “sixth man” has played productive minutes in all three of the Fords’ district tournament victories.
“Wearing it feels a little different,” she said. “I guess it makes me more aggressive when I’m out there.”
Wright has flourished in several roles. Coach Lauren Pellicane calls her number early and often to provide breathers for starting bigs Caroline Dotsey, Rian Dotsey and Mollie Carpenter. Wright can defend any position on the floor and is smart with the ball in her hands. She has a nice midrange shot and can drive to the hoop or post-up when necessary.
“She absolutely plays like a kid with three older brothers,” Pellicane said. “She’s always played the game with the intensity, she’s a hustler. I think she’s finishing shots a little bit better. She’s got a nose for the game, too. She’s in the right spot for offensive rebounds and … she’s got such a bright future for us. She plays fearless and that’s the key. When a kid without any experience comes in and gives you what she has given, that’s huge.”
The Fords are in a district final for the first time in program history. The Central League champions have destroyed every team in their way: No. 15 Methaeton, 47-29. in the second round; No. 7 Springfield, 56-31, in the quarterfinals; and No. 11 Pennsbury, 43-21, in the semifinals.
The Fords haven’t played many competitive games, save for three close wins against Central League foe Conestoga and a 31-30 win against Marple Newtown, whose season ended in the first round of the District 1 Class 5A tourney.
Perkiomen Valley and Haverford played a preseason scrimmage back on Nov. 26. While the Fords easily handled the Vikings, the results of that exhibition will mean very little Saturday.
PV captured the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship. Averaging 59.7 points per game, the Vikings defeated No. 5 Spring-Ford in the district semifinals, 53-42, rallying from six points down with three minutes to play.
Coach John Russo starts five sophomores, including center Quinn Boettinger (16.2 ppg) and forward Grace Galbavy, who averages around 14 rebounds per contest. Point guard Bella Bacani averages better than 10 points a game and guard Lena Stein is a defensive ace. Julia Smith is a 3-point threat and Ella Stein, the team’s only senior, is a valuable contributor off the bench.