Senior Clark makes the difference for Notre Dame
RADNOR>> Academy of Notre Dame senior guard Caitlyn Clark missed all of last season after tearing her ACL in the summer.
The loss of Clark was detrimental to the Irish, who desperately missed their fiery point guard and defensive whiz.
It’s no surprise then, that Clark has been key to Notre Dame’s success in 2015-16. After Tuesday’s 4133 triumph over Episcopal Academy, the Irish pushed their record to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in the InterAc League.
“She’s made a lot of stuff happen for us in our first 10 games,” said coach Mary Beth McNichol, who is in her 25th season leading the program. “It’s good having her back. Her motor is always going, plus she’s a great defender. We really missed her defense (last year).”
Clark worked tirelessly through two surgeries to prepare for her senior year. She’s had inspiration, too. Her good friend and teammate Leanne Purcell, who is battling a rare illness, has been on the team bench cheering on her teammates. Clark’s injury was a blow to her self-esteem and confidence, but she needn’t look far for motivation.
“It helped me realize to not take anything for granted,” said the diminutive Clark, who had two points, five assists and a pair of steals. “I’ve always liked basketball, but now I think I’m having more fun and just enjoying it because missing a whole year really makes you appreciate it more. (Senior guard) Alex (Kane, who recently suffered a season-ending injury) and Leanne wish they can be out there, so we have to do it for them. That gives us motivation because they’d give anything to be out there.”
Prior to the game, Purcell was announced as the sixth player in Notre Dame’s starting lineup. McNichol gave her a big hug and a bouquet of flowers.
“That was nice,” Purcell said. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect.”
Sophomore Katie Mayock, who transferred in from Conestoga, used her 6-2 frame to score 16 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor. Mayock works well in the low post with 6-0 senior forward/center Rachel Ryan (four points, six rebounds).
“Every time someone asks us how we look (as a team) this year, I say, ‘Good. We have a 6-2 transfer and she’s awesome.’ She’s been great,” Clark said.
Mayock had no trouble fitting in on a team that is gearing up for an Inter-Ac title run.
“Everyone was so nice and so welcoming,” Mayock said. “The transition and everything was pretty seamless.”
Notre Dame grabbed the lead for good when Kristen Rogers came off the bench to hit the first of two 3-pointers in the second quarter. Rogers also provided strong defense and savvy ball handling. “She’s our spark.” McNichol said. EA (4-4, 0-2) closed the second period with five unanswered points and trailed 20-16 at the break. Lily Kuntz scored 11 of her team-high 12 points in the opening half.
After halftime, Notre Dame survived a relentless comeback effort by the Churchwomen. A three-point play by Katie Weaver and a pair of free throws by Elodie Furey trimmed EA’s deficit to three early in the fourth quarter, but the Irish leaned on Mayock, who scored four straight points to stretch the lead to seven. Casey Walsh (10 points) was 7-for-8 at the charity stripe down the stretch to help the Irish seal the victory.
“It was a big game for us,” Clark said. “It wasn’t pretty, but we’re happy with the eight-point win.”
Seanna McNamara chipped in eight points for the Churchwomen.
In the Central League: HAVERFORD 43, SPRINGFIELD 38 >> Mollie Reynolds (11 points, five assists) was 6-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter and Amanda Battista netted 15 points as the Fords (6-5, 4-3) cooled off the Cougars, who had won six in a row.
Madison D’Ambrosio led Springfield with 16 points. GARNETVALLEY45,STRATHHAVEN 17 >> Maddie Ireland scored nine points and Sydney Fail recorded seven points and four rebounds to help the Jaguars (9-1, 5-1) roll. PENNCREST 57, UPPER DARBY 45 >> The Lions (9-2) registered their fifth straight win behind Megan Arndt’s team-high 15 points and Katie Russo’s 13 points. UD’s Emma Blewett drained five 3s for a game-high 19 points. RIDLEY 53, MARPLE NEWTOWN 38 >> Ridley’s Dana D’Ambrosio tossed in 21 points and was 8-for-11 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Hailee Mayer added 12 points for the Green Raiders (6-4, 3-3) and Halle Robinson paced the Tigers with 11 points. RADNOR 53, LOWER MERION 49 >> Raquel Razavi hit three foul shots down the stretch to clinch the win for the Raiders (6-4, 4-2). She scored a team-high 13 points.
Allison Lanzone (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Kristin Hamill (11 points, 10 rebounds) had matching double-doubles.
In the Del Val League: INTERBORO 73, CHESTER 33 >> Gina McNamee lit up the scoreboard with 30 points on 10 field goals for the Bucs (3-6). PENN WOOD 62,
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>> All-Delco Dahnye Redd posted 24 points and 12 rebounds as the defending champion Patriots kicked off league play in dominating fashion. Samantha Dillon had all 11 of her points in the second half, while Joy Morton notched a double-double (11 points, 14 rebounds).
In the Catholic League: BONNER-PRENDERGAST 51, ST. HUBERT 32 >> Nyah Garrison and Caroline Manfre paced the Pandas (71, 2-0) with 12 points apiece. Maggie McPeak added 10 points.
In the Ches-Mont League: RUSTIN 56, SUN VALLEY 45 >> Kate Lannon had 12 of her 20 points in the third quarter, but the guards (5-6) never recovered falling behind, 17-4.
In the Bicentennial League: JENKINTOWN 51, DELCO CHRISTIAN 37 >> Claudia Norton scored 12 points and Alex Thompson had nine points and eight rebounds for the Knights (5-4).
In nonleague action: CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 43, BAPTIST REGIONAL 18 >> Freshman Grace Gormley had a day to remember with 11 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals for the Crusaders (83). Danay Cooks-Green and Kaylah Robertson scored 10 points each. Vanafter