Katie Vila had a bad feeling when she injured her knee in a collision during an AAU tournament at Penn State last July.
“As soon as I went down, I thought, ‘I tore my ACL,’” the Wissahickon senior said.
But an MRI diagnosed the injury as nothing more than a sprain. By September, a relieved Vila began training for her final high school season, but she began experiencing pain.
“I didn’t know why because I should have been better,” she said.
A second MRI confirmed Vila’s worst fears – she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament.
“I really wanted to play this season because it’s my senior year,” she said.
So Vila tried.
“The doctors basically told me that I wasn’t going to be able to,” she said. “When I found out it was fully torn, I asked the doctor, ‘What are my options?’
“He said I could try to play, but he’s never really seen it happen. He said that I might get through half the season, but after that, it would be unbearable.”
The doctor was right. Vila – wearing a knee brace – played until she could do it no longer.
“When we had our first tournament, I was fine the first game, but the second night, I couldn’t even move,” she said. “That’s how it was a lot.
“I would have a game, and it would swell up, and I couldn’t practice the next day. The next game I would be weak. Obviously, I was really limited. I couldn’t move that well. I was strictly shooting. I couldn’t drive the way I used to. It was painful, and it was really frustrating.”
After the Trojans’ Christmas Tournament, the sharp-shooting guard, who had scored over 600 points in her first three years on the varsity, called it a season.
“I would honestly say it was probably the hardest decision I have ever made,” she said. “I’m thinking about playing in college, but it’s not definite, so there’s a good chance this is my last real season, and I have been playing basketball since I was five. It was really, really, really hard.”
It was equally hard for her team to see her walk away.
“We miss her offense and her leadership skills on the floor,” coach Jerry Hartman said. “You need that leadership, you need the ability to score at the end of the game situations. We only have one player from last year that started. We miss that sorely. She added that presence that we’re still searching for.”
But Hartman supported Vila’s decision to call it a year.
“The more games she played – it started to take its toll,” he said. “We talked – I wanted her to be aware she needed to take care of herself.”
Vila, a four-year varsity player, had surgery two weeks ago, By having the surgery now, Villa at least opened the door to playing next season if she opts to pursue basketball at the collegiate level – something that was a foregone conclusion prior to the injury.
“I (had) gotten interest from Division II and III schools,” Vila said. “Up until last year, I definitely wanted to play, but it’s going to be really, really hard with the rehab and stuff. I’m going to be a step behind people if I do play because I won’t be able to start running until next summer. I’m really on the fence about it. I want to put my education first.”
For now, Vila is focusing on rehabbing her knee and supporting her team.
“She’s been very supportive,” Hartman said. “She comes to every game.”
‘You’ve got a friend’ –Joanne McVey and Monica Young spent the last six years coaching on the same sidelines, so there was bound to be an adjustment when Young – after six years as McVey’s assistant at Neshaminy – took over the helm at Council Rock South.
Both knew it wouldn’t be easy when their teams did battle twice a year in SOL National Conference play, but neither could have imagined a night like last Tuesday when the Redskins – thanks to a miracle shot by Brianna Hires after a length-of-the-court pass by Chelsea Rota – stunned the Golden Hawks at the buzzer, eking out a 47-46 win.
“My heart was broken for her,” McVey said of her former assistant. “I didn’t sleep that night because I knew she wasn’t going to sleep that night. “
McVey was right.
“I knew she wouldn’t sleep because I know her so well, and I didn’t sleep,” Young said. “I almost called her at three in the morning, but I didn’t want to wake her family and kids.”
Both knew it was going to be hard when Young decided to apply for the Rock South job.
“I talked to her before I interviewed because I thought it was something I had to do,” Young said. “She wished me nothing but the best of luck.”
Their friendship goes well beyond their six years together at Neshaminy. McVey and Young actually played basketball together.
“We go back years,” Young said.
“We’re really good friends,” McVey said. “We’ve spent six years, three hours a day with one another. Now to be on opposing teams – I hate it, she hates it. The day we played them the first time, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach the entire day.”
Young admits that the two didn’t communicate after Tuesday’s heartbreaker until Friday when they made e-mail contact.
“We didn’t talk for a couple of days,” the Rock South coach said. “She (McVey) said, ‘I hope this never comes between our friendship,’ and it never would.
“In reality, it’s just a basketball game. I know it’s what we do, but nothing like that is as important as our friendship.”
McVey still refuses to talk about her team’s miracle play that won the game, turning a deaf ear to the suggestion that the play – which was captured on video – would make the ESPN highlight reel.
“I would never do that,” McVey said. “She’s too good of a friend.
“I wrote her an e-mail because we couldn’t talk about it, and I said I could tell those kids want to win for her, and I said in the e-mail, ‘That’s the highest honor I can give you as a coach – that the kids who play for you want to win for you.’”
The long and short of it – Cheltenham’s Jenna Peoples and Liz Taliaferro might not find their way into the headlines for a Lady Panther squad that sits atop the SOL American Conference standings, but the 6-3 center (Peoples) and the 5-4 guard both have been impact players.
Both contribute in ways that do not always show up in boxscores. Peoples is counted on for rebounds while Taliaferro – the first player off the bench - is a standout ball handler who is a defensive catalyst for the Lady Panthers.In Cheltenham’s 54-36 win over Central Bucks South in the SOL Challenge, Peoples had 13 points and 13 rebounds to go along with two blocked shots and two steals.
“Jenna just dominated inside,” coach Bob Schaefer said. “She played a great game inside.
“She has improved in every game. She has made more of a sustained effort to be active in the game.”
“I’ve been working on my inside shot more,” Peoples said. “Schaef has been working with us, pushing us harder. You’re playing for the team. You’re not playing for yourself.”
In the win over South, Taliaferro had 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals in a workmanlike effort.
“Liz has played great defense against big players in big games,” Schaefer said. “She’s a sub that plays as much as the starters. In reality, you could say we have a six-starter team.
“She plays intelligent. She hustles, and she does what she’s told. She adds a quick burst of speed to an already quick defense.”
It’s all added up to a 16-1 start for the Lady Panthers after a disappointing 15-10 season last year.
“Oh my god, it’s amazing,” Peoples said. “There’s so much confidence on the team, and when the team has confidence, it’s a great feeling. We have just clicked.
“It’s awesome to have Dayna (McCrewell) back, and everyone has stepped up. Last year seemed like it went on forever. This year is flying by.”
Ram tough – Pennridge junior Jordan Dominic measures in at 5-3, but don’t be fooled.
“She’s small but mighty,” coach Brooke Martin said of her team’s floor general.
Dominic has always been a point guard but was moved to shooting guard as a sophomore. This year she is back at point while Lindsey Lyons, who played point last year, is playing the three guard.“It gives Lindsey Lyons more opportunities to get rebounds being our tallest player,” said Martin of the 5-9 Lyons. “It allows Jordan to be the quarterback of our team and call the plays.
“We have a lot of plays designed for the point guard. Losing Sam Siminonis, we’re looking for somebody to step up with the points, and she’s done a really nice job with that.”
Dominic is the Rams’ top scorer, averaging 11.2 points a game. She leads the Rams with 38 three-point field goals and is the team’s top foul shooter, connecting on 81 percent of her tries from the line.
In Pennridge’s 71-48 non-league win over Pennsbury, Dominic lit up the net for 28 points.
“Her shooting has really improved,” Martin said. “She’s always been a good shooter, but you can tell she’s really worked on it over the summer.
“She’s able to get a shot off so quick. If defenders leave her open briefly, she can get a shot off. With her, it’s really a confidence thing. It’s just a matter of going out and believing she can do it.”
The Rams (10-8) opened the season with five straight wins but then proceeded to lose the next five.
“I think we’re playing much better,” Martin said. “We’re more team oriented and not so much worried about our individual stats. We’re focusing primarily on our defense.”
The SOL Challenge – Twelve girls’ squads took part in the first ever SOL Challenge to benefit Coaches v. Cancer. Last Saturday’s event was held at three different locations – Council Rock South, Council Rock North and Central Bucks West.
For one half, the Central Bucks East/William Tennent and Quakertown/Council Rock North games were the most entertaining. Neither was close at the final horn.
The Panthers actually took a 21-19 lead into the intermission, but the Patriots – who were led by the 12-point effort of Jaime Donovan and the 11-point performance of Caitlin Vasey – outscored Tennent 24-9 in the second half on their way to a 43-30 win. Sarah Godfrey led the Panthers with nine points.
“We stopped scoring,” Tennent coach Paul Veltre said. “We got shots off, and that was the difference. We got the shots we wanted, and we only turned the ball over nine times the whole game against the best defensive team we have faced. They’re an excellent team. We just missed some wide open shots.”
In the Rock South/Quakertown game, the Golden Hawks held a slim 23-21 halftime lead but used a 35-18 second-half blitz to bury the Panthers 58-39. Daniella Ciccarone scored 19 points in the loss while teammate Colleen Gavin added 12. Lea Britton (13 points), Chelsea Allen (12 points) and Alex Wheatley (10 points) paced a balanced Golden Hawk attack.
Truman trailed Hatboro-Horsham 20-14 at halftime and never could make up that deficit, falling 38-28 to the Hatters. Shannon McDuffie led the Tigers with 10 points while Cailin Schmeer (14 points) paced the Hatters.
A streaking North Penn squad opened up a 17-11 halftime lead over Bensalem on its way to a 35-26 win. Shakia Robinson led the Maidens with 19 points while Sharmane Hall had nine to lead the Owls.
Pennridge seized early control of its game against Neshaminy, sprinting to a 31-17 halftime lead on its way to a 53-40 win. Jordan Dominic (15 points), Marissa Kunkle (14 points) and Jordan Villela (13 points) led the Rams. Amanda Lally had 12 points in a losing cause.
Around the SOL (Jan. 19-24) – Abington received 13 points from Ajanae Boone and 12 from both Ajannah Peal and Emily Leer in its 51-37 win over William Tennent. Megan Zimmerman (13 points) and Ashley Alden (10 points) led the Panthers.
The Ghosts notched a 60-17 win over Harry S. Truman. Leer (16 points) and Boone (10 points) led the way. Leer and Jessica Schmidt both scored 11 points in the Ghosts’ 44-36 win over Pennsbury. Kelsey Balascsak scored 11 for the Falcons.
Council Rock North rolled to a 75-10 win over Harry S. Truman. Kelly Scull led a balanced attack with 12 points. Scull scored 22 points while teammates Devin Gold and Sarah Kiely contributed 12 and 10 points respectively in the Indians 64-44 win over Tennent. Alden (11 points) and Zimmerman (10 points) led the Panthers.
Central Bucks East received 14 points from both Jaime Donovan and Liz Martin in its 65-42 win over Quakertown. Daniella Ciccarone (18 points) and Kristine Jackiewicz (10 points) led the Panthers. Sparked by the 13-point effort of Donovan, East notched a 48-41 win over Pennridge. Martin added 10 points for the Patriots while Jordan Dominic (15 points) and Marissa Kunkle (12 points) led the Rams.
Neshaminy was led by the 14-point effort of Kelsey Ryan and the 13-point performance of Avery Wunder in its dramatic 47-46 win over Council Rock South. Chelsea Allen (14 points) and Emily Nowicke (13 points) led the Golden Hawks. The Redskins received 16 points from Ryan in a 54-18 win over Truman.
Council Rock South rebounded to defeat Pennsbury 46-32, led by the nine-point efforts of Lea Britton and Ann Silverthorn. Molly Phillips led the Falcons with 10 points. The Golden Eagles followed that with a 44-42 win at Bensalem. Alex Wheatley (16 points) and Nowicke (11 points) led the way. Jackie Deegler led the Owls with 16 points.
North Penn had three players - Shakia Robinson (18 points), Taylour Alston (13) and Steph Knauer (10 points) – in double figures in its 51-17 win over Hatboro. The Maidens received 21 points from Robinson and 16 from Alston in a 49-43 win over Quakertown. Ciccarone and Colleen Gavin led the Panthers with 12 points each.
Shannon Knauer (18 points) came off the bench to spark North Penn to a 46-34 win over Souderton Robinson added 16 points. Brittany Sandone led the Indians with nine points.
Quakertown rebounded to earn a 55-32 win over Central Bucks West. Ciccarone (17 points), Gavin (14 points) and Jackiewicz (12 points) led the Panthers. Meghan Vazquez had nine points to lead the Bucks.
Central Bucks South received 19 points from Katelyn Schneider and 10 from Calla Miller in its 50-36 win over Pennridge. Katie Franchois led the Rams with 12 points. The Rams received 20 points from Shannon Zickler and 16 from Kunkle in a 56-25 win over Hatboro. Cailin Schmeer led the Hatters with 12. The Titans were led by the 11-point effort of Tori Reynolds in their 57-32 win over Hatboro.
Norristown brought an end to Upper Merion’s 10-game winning streak with a 48-37 win last Tuesday. Mercedes Harris led the way with 24 points. Lisa Ridgeway paced the Vikings with 10 points. The Eagles notched a 60-54 non-league win over Souderton. Harris poured in 22 points while Netta Wise added 12 and Natasha Matthews, 10 points. Sandone (13 points), Monica Schmidt (12) and Emily Price (10 points) led the Indians. The Eagles continued their winning ways with a 49-22 win over Upper Moreland. Harris led the Eagles with 14 points. Brittney Rose added 10 points. Shannon Datts had six to lead the Golden Bears.
Souderton was led by Schmidt (14 points), Price (13 points) and Sandone (12 points) in its 58-34 win over Central Bucks West. Vazquez led the Bucks with 15 points.
Souderton scored 61 points, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Perk Valley in a non-league game Saturday as the Vikings eked out a 65-61 win. Schmidt (14 points), Sandone (13), Price (11) and Liz Mower (11) finished in double figures for the Indians. A 23-point performance by Meg Piotrowicz propelled Plymouth Whitemarsh to a 52-38 non-league win over Coatesville. Angie Branigan added 15. The Colonials notched a 46-39 win over Upper Moreland, sparked by Branigan’s 16 points.
Wissahickon was led by the double-digit efforts of Colleen HInde (14), Anne Bracaglia (12) and Rachel Schaible (10) in its 42-37 win over the Colonials. Piotrowicz (13 points) led PW.
Kristen Fuery’s 16-point performance led Upper Dublin to a 55-45 win over Springfield. Taylor Bryant (12 points) and Nikki Harchut (10 points) also finished in double figures. Morgan Smith (13 points) and Briana Scafidi (12 points) led the Spartans.
The Flying Cardinals received 12 points from Danielle Derr and 10 points from both Becca Courter and Harchut in their 46-37 win over Wissahickon. Bracaglia led the Trojans with 11 points.
Dayna McCrewell (17 points), Monet Constant (14 points) and Shayla Felder (11 points) led Cheltenham to a 69-20 win over Upper Moreland. McCrewell scored 21 points in the Lady Panthers’ 55-26 win over Upper Merion. Jessica Moore led the Vikings with nine points.
SuburbanOneSports.com’s Fab Five
- Cheltenham (16-1)
- Council Rock North (17-2)
- Central Bucks East (17-1)
- Abington (14-4)
- North Penn (10-8)
Others to watch: Norristown (11-5), Quakertown (11-6), Upper Merion (12-5)
Pa. Scholastic Girls Rankings Class AAAA (from The Patriot-News of Harrisburg as of Jan. 25, 2009)
- Cardinal O’Hara (17-1)
- Central Dauphin (17-1)
- Mt. Lebanon (17-0)
- Downingtown East (16-2)
- Butler (15-1)
- Bethel Park (16-1)
- Cheltenham (16-1)
- Hazleton (14-2)
- Council Rock North (16-2)
- Lower Merion (14-2)
Honorable mention: Allen (13-2), Archbishop Ryan (14-2), Central (13-2), Central Bucks East (16-1), McDowell (13-2), Northampton (15-3), Upper Darby (16-2)
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