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NEWTOWN – Kelly Scull remembers it all too well.That long bus ride back to Newtown after last year’s season-ending loss to Methacton in the second round of the District One AAAA Tournament.
“It was a very long ride,” the Council Rock North junior recalled. “It was one of those – no one knew what to say. We all sat by ourselves with our iPods in our ear.
“We were all disappointed. We wanted 10 more minutes of that game just so we could go out and play harder, but it was over, and there was nothing we could do about it. It was completely devastating.”
The Indians waited a year to exact a degree of revenge from the Warriors, and they got it when they defeated 14th seeded Methacton in convincing fashion in Wednesday’s second round game, 55-36.
“We were so upset last year,” Scull said. “The game was over. It was almost like we didn’t get it – we don’t go to practice tomorrow.
“Coming back this year and knowing what it was like – it was whole another level of confidence.”
The win ensured the third-seeded Indians a berth in the PIAA Tournament.
“This is really big,” freshman Lauren Gold said. “This is for all the people that were on the team last year that didn’t make it but made it this year.
“It’s my first time, so I’m really excited.”
Gold did her share to make sure the Indians would earn a state bid, setting the tone for the Indians’ suffocating defensive pressure with five steals off the bench. She also had 10 assists – many of those to finish off fast breaks after steals.
“I like to pressure people a lot, and if I’m not getting my shots on offense, defense is the way to go,” she said.
Gold wasn’t the only one getting it done on the defensive end. The Indians limited the Warriors to just nine first-half points and only two field goals – none in the second quarter. Take away a 20-point fourth quarter, and the Warriors scored just 16 points through the first three quarters.
Also coming up big defensively was senior Juliann Fricke, who put her track skills to use as she was glued to speedy Methacton point guard Lauren Ruhl.
“She’s an awesome player,” said Fricke, who is bound for the University of Maryland on a track scholarship. “She’s their everything .
“She set up their offense, and if she can’t see her guards on the wings or get the ball back - a lot of their points come from her. If I don’t let her get the ball back, I guess I make it harder for her.”
While the Indians’ defense stole the spotlight, Sarah Kiely turned in yet another standout offensive effort, leading all scorers with 18 points. She also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Indians’ gifted center was whistled for three first-half fouls – a scenario that brought back memories of last year’s second round game when Kiely picked up three fouls in the first quarter.
This time around was a whole lot different, and Kiely, who had just six points in last year’s loss, came back to finish strong. This despite sitting out the better part of the third quarter so the Indians – without Kiely - could prove a point to their coach.
“I said to the team at halftime, ‘You have a chance right now to prove something. You have a chance to prove you can play without Sarah,’” Rock North coach Lou Palkovics said. “I looked at Sarah, and I said, ‘Sarah, don’t take this personally, but make it your goal to keep Sarah on the bench the whole third quarter. If you keep it to 15 or extend it, she’s going to sit the whole third quarter.’”
In addition to Kiely, Devin Gold had 10 points, Fricke, seven, Lauran Gold and Scull, six points each, and Kate Logan, five points.
“We play so well together,” said Scull, who also had seven rebounds. “We have really good team chemistry, and I think that’s key because we’re able to pick each other up when we’re down. “
The Indians didn’t have a whole lot to be down about in Wednesday’s win as they controlled this one from start to finish.
The fun began when Kiely scored on a fastbreak off a Warrior miss. It was a 2-2 game after a Ruhl drive, but the Indians answered with a 6-0 run that included a pair of Logan foul shots, a low post basket by Scull and two foul shots from Fricke.
Ruhl broke the Warriors’ scoring drought with a bucket to make it an 8-4 game, but Kiely – after attracting a crowd in the paint - kicked the ball out to Fricke, who hit nothing but net on a trey to send the Indians into the second quarter with a seven-point lead.
Six straight points by Kiely to open the second quarter propelled the Indians to a 17-4 lead. The Warriors broke a six-minute scoring drought when Carley Parker connected on one-of-two from the charity stripe.
By halftime, the Indians had stretched their lead to 24-9.
“They’re really, really well coached,” said Ruhl, who led the Warriors with 14 points. “They have awesome help defense, and they’re always going to be there.”
According to Scull, that’s all part of the Indians’ defensive philosophy.
“Coach tells us to front the post, and we did that a lot,” she said. “We know our teammate is going to be on the other side helping us out, so there’s no pressure of whether or not your girl is going to beat you, so you’re able to put so much pressure on your girl.
“It’s amazing, and I think that’s a key because once we play good defense, the offense comes.”
In the third quarter, the Warriors embraced the challenge issued by their coach and extended their lead without Kiely – who did return late in the frame.
Methacton’s Mel Ordway scored the first basket of the second half, but after a Fricke steal, Devin Gold buried a trey. Another basket by Devin Gold and a Logan trey gave the Warriors a 33-12 lead, and the rout was on.
The Indians took s 37-16 lead into the final quarter before the Warriors showed signs of life offensively. By then it was much too late.
The Indians will continue their quest for district gold when they face Downingtown West in a district quarterfinal game at Wissahickon High School on Saturday at 1 p.m. Dowingtown West downed Great Valley 42-36 in another district second round contest.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 55, METHACTON 36
Methacton (36) – Lauren Ruhl 6 1-2 14, Ali Hammond 1 1-3 4, Mel Ordway 2 3-4 7, Lindsey Allebach 0 2-2 2, Carley Parker 0 3-6 3, Sarah McMichael 0 0-0 0, Maddy Parker 2 0-0 4, Khaila Speller 0 0-2 0, Amy Klinger 0 0-0 0, Alivia Reiche 0 2-2 2, Lexi Hussey 0 0-0 0, Mel Leszcynski 0 0-0 0, Jenny Bishop 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 12-21 36.
Council Rock North (55) – Juliann Fricke 2 2-4 7, Devin Gold 3 3-3 10, Kelly Scull 3 0-0 6, Sarah Kiely 6 6-6 18, Kate Logan 1 2-2 5, Lauren Gold 2 2-4 6, Jodi Marrazzo 0 0-0 0, Rebecca Houser 0 0-0 0, Emily Grundman 0 1-2 1, Ally Mangogna 1 0-0 2. Brittany Garvey 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 16-21 55.
Methacton 4 5 7 20-36
Council Rock North 11 13 13 18-55
Three-point goals: Methacton – Lauren Ruhl, Ali Hammond. Council Rock North – Juliann Fricke, Devin Gold, Kate Logan.
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