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Pa. Girls: Gwynedd Mercy's Lonergan wins No. 600

Tom Lonergan was making his way through the handshake line after Gwynedd Mercy's 48-32 win over visiting St. Basil when he noticed a few players creeping toward him with a bucket.

Tom Lonergan was making his way through the handshake line after Gwynedd Mercy's 48-32 win over visiting St. Basil when he noticed a few players creeping toward him with a bucket.

The Catholic Academies victory Saturday was a big one, the Monarchs coach knew. But he did not think it was exactly worthy of a Gatorade bath.

Then his athletic director grabbed a microphone at center court. The bucket, which turned out to be filled with confetti, went over his head.

And it suddenly dawned on Lonergan: He had won his 600th game as a head coach.

Lonergan began his career at Bishop McDevitt, where he won 270 games from 1984 to 1999. He moved on to Central Bucks East, where he compiled 311 victories from 1999 to 2013. But even though his two years and 19 wins at Gwynedd Mercy pale in comparison, it feels like home.

Terri Fasano, the athletic director, and Matt Fasano, an assistant coach, were on his bench with McDevitt.

"We started together thirty-some years ago and things seem to go full circle in life," Lonergan said.

He attributes his longevity to his basketball-oriented family. Lonergan's eldest son, T.J., is an assistant, and his other son, Tyler, is the team statistician. His wife, Kathy, referees Division I women's basketball.

"I have a lot to be thankful about," Lonergan said. "Two boys and a wife that have allowed me the time and freedom to do what I've done for as long I've done it.

"Basketball is in our blood. . . . It's a sport we just love. It makes it easy."

In other Catholic Academies play, Katie Mooney hit two free throws with one second left to give Villa Maria a 53-51 win at Merion Mercy. She had 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Devils Winter Classic. Springside Chestnut Hill used a 20-0 run in the third quarter to defeat visiting Germantown Friends, 52-25, in the championship game. Lindsay Hiner scored 20 points, Mo'ne Davis had 12, and tournament MVP Essence Walden had 10.

Nike Tournament of Champions. Archbishop Wood rallied from 13 down entering the fourth quarter to beat Vanden (Calif.), 61-55, in overtime in Phoenix. Shannon May hit a three-pointer to force the extra period. Bailey Greenberg had 21 rebounds.

Nonleague. Katie Fisher's 25 points and five assists boosted host Strath Haven past Notre Dame, 49-42.

Caitlyn Cummings had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals to rally Mount St. Joseph past St. Hubert, 60-39.