Girls: Dotsey, Fords fashion a gem at Diamond State

Haverford High junior Caroline Dotsey had a career game and sophomore Aniya Eberhart was clutch down the stretch as the Fords downed Caravel Academy, 48-43, at the Diamond State Classic in Wilmington, Del.

Dotsey poured in a personal high 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Eberhart scored six of her eight points in the fourth period.

The Fords play Plymouth Whitemarsh in the second round Tuesday.

In other girls basketball action Monday: Penncrest 61, Pottstown 37 >> Chloe Griffiths tallied 15 points and Bailey Garrison pitched in with 12 points and three steals for the Lions, who held a 45-17 advantage at halftime.

Garnet Valley 41, Great Valley 31 >> Jags freshman Haylie Adamski record 16 points, five steals and two assists as the Jaguars won the opener of their holiday tournament.

Kylie Mulholland (two steals) and Emily Olsen (10 rebounds) finished with eight points apiece for the Jaguars. who meet Central Bucks South in the championship game Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Bishop Shanahan 48, Ridley 45 >> COVID outbreaks forced Ridley officials to scratch the four team tournament.

The Green Raiders kept within striking distance of the Eagles, but couldn’t jump out in front.

Kyla Carney produced a team-high 14 points and Peyton Berger ended with 13.

Girls: Bell sisters finally ringing in the new season together at Ridley

MEDIANEWS GROUP STAFF PHOTORidley High basketball players Kailyn and Jenna Bell have supported each other while waiting to play with each other for the Green Raiders.

Ridley High basketball players Kailyn and Jenna Bell have supported each other while waiting to play with each other for the Green Raiders. MEDIANEWS GROUP STAFF PHOTO

By Matt Smith

Two sisters separated by two grades at Ridley have forged an unbreakable bond as a result of one’s determination to get back on the court, no matter what life throws her way.

The first time senior Jenna Bell blew out her knee was in the summer before her eighth grade year. She suffered the same injury, to the same knee, two years later.

Jenna’s dreams of playing for the 2019-20 Ridley basketball team that won a Central League championship were dashed.

Understandably, she began to wonder whether she’d ever get the opportunity to play varsity hoops. But despite the setback, Jenna showed up to practices and games to support her teammates. She was there every day.

“I sat on the bench, I cheered, I took notes. Anything I could do, I just wanted to be there,” she said.

Kailyn Bell, by this time, was in the eighth grade. She was the type of talented up-and-comer many high school coaches rave about, the middle-school kid who in a year’s time would play varsity as a freshman and make an impact. But as she worked on preparing to play in high school, Kailyn provided emotional support for Jenna, who had made it clear that another devastating, season-ending knee injury would not deter her from playing the game she loves.

(click on this link for the full story)

Girls: Episcopal wins third in a row

Riley Cassidy, right, in action against Notre Dame last season, had 19 points to pace Episcopal Academy to its third straight win with a 64-61 victory over Bishop Shanahan Thursday night. (MediaNews Group file).

Riley Cassidy, right, in action against Notre Dame last season, had 19 points to pace Episcopal Academy to its third straight win with a 64-61 victory over Bishop Shanahan Thursday night. (MediaNews Group file).

Riley Cassidy scored a team-high 19 points as Episcopal Academy defeated Bishop Shanhan, 64-61, for its third straight win.

Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf added 15 points and Alice Nash made three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for the Churchwomen (6-1). Amanda Purcell had all 11 of her points in the first half and dished out four assists.

Alyssa Brown poured in a game-high 28 points for Shanahan.

Boys: Hicke scores 22 points as Radnor stays unbeaten

The Radnor boys basketball team is feeling jolly going into the holiday break.

Jackson Hicke produced 22 points, six rebounds and two steals Thursday night to lead the Raptors to their sixth consecutive victory to start the season with a 62-37 decision over West Chester Henderson.

Charlie Thornton piled up 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Cooper Mueller chipped in with 11 points and two steals, while Danny Rosenblum tossed in nine points.

In other nonleague games:

Garnet Valley 52, Unionville 43 >> Ryan Wootten scored 15 points and Max Koehler added 13 points for the Jaguars.

(click on this link for the full story and more game scores)

Boys: Springfield defeats Strath Haven

Mike O’Donnell, Mike Hoey and Colin Treude all scored 12 points in Springfield’s 50-39 victory over Strath Haven in Central League boys basketball action Tuesday.

The Cougars’ defense set the tone early, limiting Strath Haven to three points in the first quarter. Aiden Kreydt and Ryan Johnston each grabbed eight rebounds in the win.

Jaden Jaurequi poured in a game-high 16 points for the Panthers. Jack Edwards sank three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points.

Garnet Valley 63, Upper Darby 59 >> Max Koehler compiled 24 points, eight assists and two steals for the Jaguars in their win over the Royals Tuesday. Koehler also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Ryan Wootten (13 points) made three of GV’s nine 3-pointers and Logan McKee managed a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.

UD connected for 11 triples, including six from Nadir Myers, who netted a game-high 26 points. Emij Branch drilled four 3s for 12 points for the Royals.

PBP Classics Wilmington Preview (Dec. 23)

Justin Edwards (above) has emerged as one of the top juniors in the country, leading a deep Imhotep Charter squad. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

By Josh Verlin

The Scholastic Play-By-Play Classics are back in the Philadelphia area after taking last season off, and there’s a number of events chock-full of local teams scheduled to take place in the region during the holiday break.

The first big one of Jeremy Treatman’s showcases will take place on Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Del. It’s a five event that will run from 1:45 PM until the night, featuring some of the region’s top programs: Westtown School, Reading, Imhotep, Neumann-Goretti and more. 

Tickets are $15-20 and can be purchased in advance here.

Of course, with the Omicron variant currently spreading rapidly across the state and around the country, it’s very possible there will be scheduling changes over the next few days; this was originally scheduled to be a seven-game event.

For now, here’s a look at Thursday’s event: 

(click on this link for the full story)