Washington Township girls overpower Shawnee
Less than 24 hours earlier, the Washington Township girls' basketball team was in the middle of a 90-minute bus ride, exhausted from a loss to Cardinal O'Hara, one of the top teams in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The lingering effects didn't show Monday night in the Minutemaids' 52-42 home win over Shawnee. The win moves Township, ranked No. 2 by The Inquirer, into the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.
"Your body wears down on you," said Kylie Giedemann, a junior guard who led all players with 19 points. "There's nothing you can do about that being physically tired. But you have to stay mentally tough. That's the key. That's what gets you through this."
Giedemann also grabbed eight rebounds. Her twin sister, Kelly, chipped in 16 points and seven assists. She was 12 for 12 from the foul line, including making all six of her foul shots in the final period. The Minutemaids hit 10 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"I kept telling the team to keep pushing and move forward," said Washington Township coach Jen Natale. "Everyone just really stepped up tonight."
No. 6 Shawnee jumped on Washington Township early, playing physical, swarming man-to-man defense and rarely allowing the Minutemaids to take a shot.
Township (14-3) hit 9 of 10 free throws before making its first basket with 22 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Renegades were leading during most of the period, but two quick buckets by Kelly Giedemann in the final 22 seconds gave Washington Township a lead to end the period.
"Washington Township did a great job," said Shawnee coach Brian Anderson. "We had foul trouble throughout and never really got into a rhythm. But a lot of that had to do with Washington Township."
Shawnee (14-2) was led by Nikola Williams, who netted 12 points.
Shawnee 12 11 3 16 - 42
Washington Twp. 13 14 9 16 - 52
S - Nikola Williams 12, Olivia Askin 9, Kelsey Kennedy 10, Nicole Gault 1, Karissa Mansure 8, Lexi Basantis 2.
WT - Kylie Giedemann 19, Paige Anastasi 7, Kelly Giedemann 16, Jess Monte 2, Bella Siravo 6, Morgan Cosgrove 2.
Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.
