Archbishop Wood leads from start, downs O’Hara

Although his PIAA Class AAA state-championship team had four of five starters back this season, Archbishop Wood coach Jim Ricci constantly reminded the players that when it comes to Catholic League girls' basketball, 15 of the last 17 championships have gone through Cardinal O'Hara or Archbishop Carroll.

So it was obvious that the Vikings' Friday night game at Cardinal O'Hara would be an all-out battle. The Vikings got so close last season, losing to Carroll in the league championship game. Under the league's format, adopted last season, teams play each other only once during the regular season.

"That was a war," Ricci said after watching his team (11-1 overall, 5-0 league) lead from the start in a 45-32 triumph over the Lions (12-3, 5-1).

"Defense won that one," Ricci continued.

The Vikings are ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. O'Hara is No. 7.

The key to the game for the Vikings was a stretch from the last 29 seconds of the first quarter to the end of the half. They pumped in 13 points during that span, allowing O'Hara only six.

Three-pointers by Marikate Gardler and Lia Disciascio accounted for the Lions' only points. Wood finished the first quarter with a 5-0 flourish in those final 29 seconds.

Christine Verrelle and Tori Arnao took care of the bulk of the scoring for Wood. Verrelle topped all players with 13 points, and Arnao added 12. Arnao spearheaded a defense that also limited O'Hara's 6-foot-1 Shanice Johnson to three points in a game in which the play was heavy inside.

"It was a war," Arnao said. "We like to run and jump playing defense. It gets us going."

Although the Vikings didn't shoot well at the free-throw line - 10 for 22 - their ability to control the boards made up for that.

"We're going to have to work on our foul shots," Ricci warned his team.

The win was the ninth straight for the Vikings. They had not played since last Saturday, when they beat Rutgers Prep and 6-11 Marvadene Anderson at Philadelphia University.

A big date with defending league champion Carroll was postponed Wednesday and rescheduled for Feb. 7 at Wood.

Mackenzie Rule led O'Hara with seven points.

Archbishop Wood   16 8 9 12 – 45

Cardinal O'Hara   7 6 9 10 – 32

AW: Victoria Arnao 12, Aubrey Howland 5, Steph Keyes 5, Caitlin McCartney 2, Grace Mirack 3, Jenna Swope 5, Christine Verrelle 13.

CO: Nicole Daly 3, Lia Disciascio 6, Mia Farmer 6, Marikate Gardler 3, Shanice Johnson 3, Maureen Leahy 2, Marissa Manning 2, Mackenzie Rule 7.