Delcohoops.com

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)

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.

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)

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.

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)

Garnet Valley sophomore Emily Olsen totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 68-30 Central League win at Upper Darby Tuesday.

Haylie Adamski tallied 16 points, five steals and two assists for the Jaguars, who outscored the Royals, 29-12, in the second half. Ava Possenti scored nine points and had a spectacular defensive game with nine steals for the Jags. Kylie Mulholland contributed 11 points, three steals and two assists for GV.

Aubrey Ennis had a team-high 13 points for Upper Darby.

In other Central League games:

Springfield 43, Strath Haven 35 >> Lexi Aaron and Mia Valerio paced the Cougars to the road win with 11 points each. Springfield jumped out to a 24-8 lead after two periods.

Rose Henry netted a game-high 19 points for the Panthers.

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