Hot-shooting Jekot overwhelms Cardinal O'Hara girls in state title game

HERSHEY - Mackenzie Gardler called her "unguardable."

Mary Sheehan said she'd seen her play a "100 times and she's never shot that well."

The "who" was Cumberland Valley's Kelly Jekot.

The "what" was the performance she put on Friday night against Cardinal O'Hara in the PIAA Class 4A state title game.

The "how" was nothing short of spectacular, as the Eagles won a third straight state championship, 57-34.

"I don't know their stats, but it was probably pretty close to perfection," Sheehan, a junior, said. "They came out from the get-go and were pretty dominant."

"They played like they've been here before and know the gym," the St. Joseph's recruit added.

Jekot scored 28 points in a commanding display, going 11 of 15 from the floor and 4 of 4 from beyond the arc. The two-time Pennsylvania Gatorade player of year - headed to Villanova next season - got to the basket, hit mid-range jumpers, and knocked down the three, as she looked like a senior unwilling to lose her final game.

"We tried to switch up our defense," Gardler, a sophomore Villanova recruit, said. "Tried to see if we could change it and chip away at their lead. But when [Jekot's] making shots, driving, her sister is making shots, there's nothing you can do."

The margin was only three after the first quarter as the Lions (26-4) came out strong. But Cumberland Valley (29-3) extended the lead at halftime, 30-17. Strong defensive play continued from the Eagles in the second half, and their shots continued to fall.

"You never think about losing," Sheehan said. "So you are kind of like, 'Wow, that is really what just happened.' At the same time, we know we have another year."

As the silver medals were handed out Sheehan, Gardler, and Hannah Nihill were called consecutively. Moments later, Sheehan and Nihill received the runners-up trophy. It was just after 7:30, and the classmates were talking about next year.

"That's going to be us," Sheehan told Nihill as she watched the Eagles. "I want that to be us."

Nihill agreed.

They've been to the Giant Center now. They know the gym. And they have every intention of returning.

Cardinal O'Hara 12 5 8 9 - 34

Cumberland Valley 15 15 13 14 - 57

CO: Mackenzie Gardler 11, Hannah Nihill 10, Mary Sheehan 8, Molly Paolino 2, Delanie Rennie 2, Kerry Patterson 1.

CV: Kelly Jekot 28, Addison Kirkpatrick 12, Katie Jekot 7, Morgan Frazier 3, Morgan Baughman 3, Sarah Lehman 2, Jessica Tonrey 2.