Quest for revenge helps Garnet Valley rise above Springfield

Garnet Valley senior Emily McAteer goes to the net in the fourth quarter against Springfield. McAteer scored a game-high 27 points in a 57-52 win for Garnet Valley in Wednesday’s Central League final. Pete Bannan — Digital First Media

By Matt Smith

In terms of size and all-around skill, few teams in the area can match up with Garnet Valley.

Certainly, the Emily McAteer-Brianne Borcky combo has presented nightmares to many teams ever since the four-year varsity standouts were freshmen. Just one Central League team — Springfield — has figured out a way to beat Garnet Valley during that span.

In last year’s Central League final, Springfield capitalized on several Garnet Valley turnovers (14 of them after the first quarter), hit timely shots and held McAteer and Borcky to a quiet 15 points each. The result? Garnet Valley’s incredible streak of four consecutive Central League championships was over, and Springfield’s reign had begun.

“We never forgot last year,” McAteer said Wednesday, “and ever since the first day of practice, we did everything we could to get it back.”

The Jags’ comeback mission, initiated in offseason open gyms, was completed Wednesday night at Harriton. GV’s all-senior starting lineup of McAteer, Borcky, Jillian Nagy, Morgan Falcone and Madi McKee captured their third Central League title with a 57-52 victory.

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Webmaster’s note: The Central League Girl’s Championship game between Springfield and Garnet Valley was our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard in its entirety below or on our Archived Broadcasts link listed in the menu at the top of our page.

(click on this link for the full story)

Andrew Kaufman interviews GV’s Emily McAteer after winning the Central League Girl’s basketball championship. The interview with can be heard at the 1:47:00 mark of our archived broadcast.