Connolly does it all as Souderton tops GA

During her two seasons at Archbishop Wood, Kate Connolly was a moving part in a system that undeniably worked. The guard/forward was a piece that did its part - on defense, on offense-and everywhere in between. The result was a winning program, but one without many breakout stars, as Connolly averaged only 6.6 points and 19 minutes a game.

This year at Souderton, the junior is the center of attention, the player who wreaks havoc on the opposition, the go-to, the one who makes the opposing coach scratch his head wondering how to guard her.

Connolly doesn't see it that way.

But she went ahead and dropped 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added three steals and three blocks on Saturday afternoon as the Indians defeated Germantown Academy, 48-40.

"I don't think I'm the center of attention. I think we have a lot of girls on the team who stepped up," the Drexel recruit said. "I think Megan [Walbrandt] , Alana [Cardona], Tori [Dowd]. Sami [Falencki] and everyone who played tonight really pushed their limits - especially on defense."

The team defense was spectacular for the Indians (2-0), especially the play of Walbrandt, who had to mark dangerous guard Rachel Balzer. But it was the offensive surge provided by Connolly that helped ignite her team's second-half comeback.

"As soon as she decided to try to take over, good things - great things - started happening for us," Souderton coach Lynn Carroll said. "That's what turned the game around in the second half."

It sure was.

The Patriots (3-3) led by three at the half and extended their lead to six with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter when Connolly hit two threes. Then she knocked down two free throws.

Suddenly, the game was tied.

"In crunch time she showed up," Patriots coach Sherri Retif said. "She hit those two big threes that kind of changed it - it was a momentum-shifter. Then she hit 9 of 10 free throws right at the end. That's an upperclassmen just stepping up. Today was her day."

After the game, Connolly walked by the gym.

"We have to get you a Souderton backpack," an administrator jokingly said to her, looking at her bag from her time with Archbishop Wood.

She's earned it.

Germantown Academy 8 16 9 7 - 40

Souderton 13 8 7 20 - 48

GA: Abby Starzecky 12, Maddie Vizza 8, Lilly Bolen 7, Rachel Balzer 6, Jaye Haynes 4, Emily Morrissey 3

S: Kate Connolly 22, Megan Walbrandt 17, Alana Cardona 6, Tori Dowd 3

kharman@phillynews.com @ka_harman