Cheltenham’s Dayna McCrewell and Jenna Peoples didn’t pause for even a split second when asked if they could have imagined their team earning a spot in the state’s Final Four.
“No,” the senior co-captains answered in unison, shaking their heads.
In truth, it may have seemed far-fetched for anyone to predict that a Lady Panther squad that was 15-11 last year would come back to win 28 out of 30 games, but that’s exactly what has happened, and on Tuesday night, the Lady Panthers will take on Mount Lebanon in a state semifinal.
“They are just a great group of young ladies,” coach Bob Schaefer said. “What they lack in talent, they’ve made up for with hard work, effort and heart. Every day this year has been fun for both the players and coaches.
“They exemplify what ‘team’ means and have made this season a most positive and rewarding season for everyone. The players will stand tall and proud on Tuesday night, win or lose, because they have accomplished what only three other AAAA teams have accomplished. They have added new meaning to overachieving.”
While the Panthers might have overachieved, this is a program with a rich tradition. Two years ago, Cheltenham – seeded ninth in its own district – won the state title.
The Lady Panthers expect to win.
Consider only McCrewell’s reaction to earning a trip to the Final Four after Friday night’s 49-38 quarterfinal win over Downingtown West.
“I’m really excited because we haven’t been here since 2007, and that’s been a little while,” said the senior co-captain, who was the first player off the bench for the ’07 state championship squad.
Most programs never reach the state championship game, but with two state titles to its credit in the last decade, this is a program that sets decidedly high goals. Still, even the players admit that this kind of finish was not on their minds when the season began.
What’s the key?
“Our work ethic,” Peoples said. “We work so hard at practice.”
“Our hard work is paying off right now,” McCrewell said. “We’ve become stronger as a unit. We’re not just one individual person. It’s all five of us on the court at the same time, plus our bench players give us that extra spark.
“When they get energized, we all get energized. I think our chemistry is really pushing us. I’m just really excited to be part of this team.”
Defense – aggressive defense – has been another key in the Panthers’ run, and they will need a stellar defensive effort and then some if they hope to get by Mount Lebanon on Tuesday.
“Once we get defensive stops, our offense comes,” McCrewell said. “We have to play defense hard and tough from the beginning.”
The Lady Panthers will once again be without standout guard Shayla Felder (fractured tibia) when they face the WPIAL and District 7 champions at Shippensburg University at 7 p.m. Mount Lebanon brings a perfect 29-0 record into the game.
“They’re strong and unbelievably aggressive,” Schaefer said. “They play eight or nine players, and you can’t tell who the best five are.”
One of the best is sophomore Madison Cable. The 5-11 guard scored 16 points in Mount Lebanon’s 49-45 quarterfinal win over State College. Senior Emily Miller, who also is 5-11, is another standout.
“We’re going to have to play our ‘A’ game, but not having Felder will make it really hard to beat their constant pressure defense,” Schaefer said of his team’s primary ball handler. “They seem like a really well-coached and disciplined team. Unless we have the ‘Dream Game,’ it could be a tough night.
“Regardless, I’m sure our girls will play their hardest – that’s their nature. You never know – we could shake them up and pick up a few fouls on some of their better players, and good things could happen. It has already turned into a memorable season of overachievement.”
With Felder sidelined, the Lady Panthers’ are playing with a cast of basically six players. Liz Taliaferro – a defensive spark off the bench most of the season – is now in the starting lineup. Joining her in the backcourt are sophomore Tiffany Johnson and junior Monet Constant.
The team’s senior co-captains – McCrewell and Peoples – provide the muscle under the basket. Freshman Sydni Epps brings energy off the bench.
“Who thought we would be 28-2 - playing two playoff games without our strongest player (McCrewell) and two games without our leading scorer and ball handler (Felder),” Schaefer said. “I just hope the girls know that win or lose tomorrow, they have done far more than most teams and far more than anyone thought.”
After Friday’s quarterfinal win, Monet Constant acknowledged that simply earning a trip to the Final Four was something very special.
“It means the world,” she said. “When you think about how many teams could have been here and how many good players there are and how we still have a chance to play – it’s amazing.
“I still don’t believe it myself.”
And according to Constant, all the hard work would be for naught had it not been for that intangible known as chemistry.
“The most important thing we had to learn was to trust each other and play with each other and have each other’s backs,” she said. “That’s really what got us here because defense and offense – that falls in (place) when you have chemistry.”
The short-handed Lady Panthers will try and ride their good chemistry to one more win and a trip to Penn State University this weekend.
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