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Team unity, belief has fueled runs of Souderton, Upper Dublin

If there’s anyone who can truly appreciate the run Upper Dublin’s girls’ basketball team is on, it’s Souderton coach Lynn Carroll.

Last season, Carroll and Souderton were the last team into states out of District I, upended a heavily favored district champion in the first round and spun that momentum into a magical run to the semifinals. Now, on the eve of their second straight semifinal appearance, the Indians have to contend with a Cardinals team mirroring that run.

Just 32 minutes separate one of the two from their first state title game as they clash at Council Rock South on Monday at 7 p.m.

“Upper Dublin is playing their best basketball of the season right now,” Carroll said on Friday after Souderton beat Neshaminy in the quarterfinals. “They are playing with a lot of confidence, as they should be and beating some very, very good teams. I feel like that was us last year where you’re playing as the underdog with nothing to lose and that’s the run they’re on here.”

Upper Dublin claimed the No. 9 seed out of District I for the second straight season and beat PCL champion Cardinal O’Hara in the first round, carrying it into victories over Garnet Valley and then Abington to reach the program’s first ever semifinals. For the Cardinals, it’s been nearly a month of one-or-done basketball.

After losing to CR North in the District I second round, the Cardinals have played six games with

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Upper Dublin’s Jess Polin puts a shot over Cardinal O’Hara’s Kerry Patterson in a PIAA Class 6A firstround game.