Shipley rolls to state championship
At first, Colleen Walsh needed some persuading to come join Sox Alexander and AAU coach Sean Costello at Shipley. Then a seventh grader, Alexander was more than happy to provide the incentive, telling her AAU teammate that they could be a "dream duo" on the court for the Gators. Walsh followed Alexander's lead and enrolled the next year.
At first, Colleen Walsh needed some persuading to come join Sox Alexander and AAU coach Sean Costello at Shipley.
Then a seventh grader, Alexander was more than happy to provide the incentive, telling her AAU teammate that they could be a "dream duo" on the court for the Gators. Walsh followed Alexander's lead and enrolled the next year.
After the Gators won their second Pennsylvania Independent Schools championship in three years by defeating Germantown Academy, 40-31, on Saturday, Alexander turned and found Walsh as the buzzer sounded at Malvern Prep.
Walsh picked up her fellow senior in a bear hug, and the two soon were mobbed by teammates.
It was a moment years in the making for the two friends. In fact, looking back, Alexander thinks it is the reason they each decided to go to Shipley in the first place.
"I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other people," Alexander said. "Sean is a great coach. He has helped me grow and mature. Colleen is a great teammate. She's pushed me to get better."
The only seniors on the roster for Shipley (22-5), the two worked tirelessly all season, and that didn't change Saturday at Malvern.
Alexander netted 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, had 3 steals, and added 2 assists. Walsh battled through a tough shooting day, but she focused her efforts on defense and on providing vocal leadership.
Nia Holland, a junior guard, led all scorers with 16, proving to be a big problem for the Patriots (20-7) with her quick handle and ability to drive the lane.
And the few minutes played by sophomore forward Maya Overton late in the game proved vital, as she sank two free throws.
"She came in and just worked her butt off," Walsh said. "I told her before her foul shots that I wanted both of them, and she gave them to us."
Alexander will head to St. John's in the fall and Walsh will play for the University of the Sciences, but one thing's for sure:
They'll always have Shipley.
Germantown Acad. 8 12 6 5 - 31
Shipley 9 4 11 16 - 40
GA: Olivia Gorman 13, Kendall Grasela 7, Margaret Anne Hubbell 4, Erin Lindahl 3, Lauren Oeth 2, Lilly Bolen 2.
S: Nia Holland 16, Sox Alexander 14, Martine Fortune 6, Maya Overton 2, Courtney Redcross 2.
ONLINE EXTRA
Shipley's Nia Holland talks about the win. inquirer.com/rallypa
EndText