WARMINSTER — Emily Knouse stepped up when things got difficult.
In the state playoff opener, Archbishop Wood's junior, Emily Knouse, made a strong push towards the basket at the start of the fourth quarter, as Radnor had been tough and resilient throughout the game.
Wood's impressive performance in the fourth quarter led them to a 55-43 victory over Radnor in the first round of the PIAA 5A tournament.
Knouse mentioned that her shots weren't landing as she wanted, but Coach Mike advised her to create space and attack, which she did, leading to successful finishes.
Radnor, the sixth seed from District 1, played fearlessly, scoring the first eight points and keeping the game close throughout.
Kate Gallagher, a senior guard committed to playing lacrosse at Army, put in a strong effort despite the challenging task of competing against Wood in basketball.
Gallagher expressed the team's determination to give their all in the game against the state's best team, without holding back or being afraid.
Wood responded to Radnor's strong start with excellent shooting, particularly from three-point range in the first quarter, and maintained their lead with solid senior contributions.
Ava Renninger, recognized before the game for reaching 1,000 career points, played a crucial role with 12 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Knouse highlighted her important off-the-dribble threes.
Lauren Greer, a Wood senior, tied with Knouse as the team's top scorer with 15 points, and her energy and all-around performance were instrumental for the Vikings.
Knouse praised Greer's relentless work ethic, emphasizing her ability to bounce back stronger and more determined after facing adversity on the court.
Despite Wood's strong start, Radnor's seniors, Gallagher, Monahan, and Jennings, showed resilience and led the offensive efforts to challenge Wood's defense.
Gallagher explained that their goal throughout the season was to demonstrate unwavering determination, regardless of the challenges they faced, and they continued to do so against Wood.
The team faced challenges with Blaise and the PIAA, as well as injuries, but they never gave up, showing a lot about their determination.
In the fourth quarter, Knouse made a strong drive and scored while being fouled. She then made another impressive drive, almost diving for a finish as she fell to the ground. Renninger passed to Greer for a three-pointer, and Knouse finished with another drive and a shot that rolled around the rim and in.
Usually an excellent shooter, Knouse has also improved her ability to dribble and shoot. The junior, who has committed to St. Joe’s, used these skills effectively on Saturday.
Knouse mentioned that her teammates, especially Makayla Finnegan and Lauren Greer, are strong defenders. They challenge her during practice, which has helped her develop different finishing moves when her three-pointer is defended.
Even when Wood extended their lead to 52-31, the Raptors responded with the next nine points.
Wood had to work hard for the win, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Wood will face Dallas, the third-place finisher from District 2, in the second round on Wednesday. The Vikings are aiming to be the first girls’ basketball team to win four consecutive state titles since Allentown Central Catholic from 2001-04.
Knouse commented, “They didn’t back down, they’re a really tough and strong team. But for our seniors, we didn’t want this to be their last game. It was their last home game and we weren’t going to end on a low note.”
Radnor ends its season, but with Anna Reger and Nyah Yao returning in the backcourt, Gallagher hopes the program will continue to improve.
Gallagher said, “I hope they see how enjoyable it is to play this far into the season. Against a great team like this, it’s a unique opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the state, so I hope they recognize that and work hard to get back here.”
Archbishop Wood 55, Radnor 43
Archbishop Wood 19 7 14 15 — 55
Radnor 10 12 9 12 — 43
Archbishop Wood: Emily Knouse 6 1-1 15, Lauren Greer 6 0-0 15, Ava Renninger 4 1-4 12, Alexa Windish 2 0-0 5, Makayla Finnegan 1 1-2 4, Sophia Topakas 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 5-9 55.
Radnor: Caroline Monahan 4 2-2 11, Anna Reger 4 1-2 9, Blaise Jennings 3 2-2 9, Nyah Yao 2 3-3 8, Kate Gallagher 2 1-2 6. Totals: 15 9-11 43.
3-pointers: AW – Greer 3, Renninger 3, Knouse 2, Windish, Finnegan; R – Gallagher, Jennings, Monahan, Yao.
