Three teams came in vying for title defenses and all three were successful in repeating as state champions.
"It’s awesome," Mt. Lebanon’s Madison Cable said. "This is amazing. I’m so excited. To repeat is pretty cool."
Cable, of course, was talking about her team’s 70-43 win over Archbishop Ryan in the Class AAAA title contest, a game in which she scored 30 points. But she easily could have been talking about Villa Maria Academy's (Erie) 52-44 win over York Catholic in Class AA or Bishop Guilfoyle’s 49-29 win over Northern Cambria in Class A.
But while all three teams repeated, don’t be fooled into thinking it was easy. Just ask Bishop Guilfoyle head coach Mark Moschella.
"It’s difficult to defend the title," Moschella said about his Altoona-based school that finished the season 30-0. "It really is. No matter where you go, no matter who we played, every basketball team is ready for you."
McBride steps up big at biggest moment
Villa Maria’s Kayla McBride, a Norte Dame recruit, stepped up big when her team needed it most in Friday’s Class AA championship game. McBride scored 17 straight points in the second half and 19 of her team’s final 22, helping the Victors, who led 22-2 out of the gate, hold off a late York Catholic rally.
"Being a captain, being a senior, I just did what I had to do," said McBride, who scored a game-high 29 points to go with 11 rebounds. "I felt like I had to take over, I did and we pulled out the win."
Cable could have chance at three state titles
Mt. Lebanon’s Cable, only a junior, has a chance for a rare trifecta: three straight state titles.
"I would like that," Cable said. "Pretty soon we will be back at it starting to get back into it."
Blue Devil head coach Doris Oldaker didn’t want to think about the three-peat yet.
"We are going to enjoy this one," Oldaker said. "I’ll never forget the feeling when we came out and lost (in the title game) three years ago. I never want to feel that way again."
York Catholic in great position
York Catholic should be in a great position to make it six straight trips to the Class AA title game next year. The Fighting Irish starting lineup consisted of four underclassmen including three sophomores, and their best player, all-state performer Kady Schrann, is only a junior.
The Irish won three straight state titles between 2006-08 before losing the last two seasons to Villa Maria. Could there be a third York Catholic-Villa Maria showdown in 2011? Maybe, but only if the Victors' young players step up, considering four of Villa’s five starters were seniors. But one returning player who could help get the Victors back to the state title game is Karlee McBride, a freshman and Kayla’s younger sister. Karlee is a different type of player than Kayla, who is more of a guard/swing player. Karlee is more of a post player.
Private schools continue to dominate lower classes
The private-school dominance of the lower classifications continued this year.
With Villa Maria’s win in Class AA and Bishop Guilfoyle’s in Class A, a private school has taken home 12 straight championships in the two classes combined with the last public school to win being Monessen in Class A girls in 2004.
In Class AA, a private institution has won 10 straight titles and 12 of the last 14. The last public school to win the Class AA championship was Karns City in 2000. Class A is nearly the same. Bishop Guilfoyle made it six straight private school titles and 11 of the last 12. Since the classification started in 1979, 21 of the 32 champions have come from private schools.
Bishop Guilfoyle’s Williams wins three titles in four years
Bishop Guilfoyle star Alli Williams and a couple of her teammates had the unique opportunity to win three titles in four years. And that wasn’t lost on Williams.
"I got three, I don’t know what else I can expect," Williams said. "I am happy with three."
Williams, who is headed to St. Francis (Pa.), said this year’s might be the best of the three titles.
"It’s just as sweet (as the others)," Williams said. "But in a way it’s more exciting. I’d have to say this is my favorite because it’s my senior year. I just really love this team and am going to miss them."
Lady Vikings poised to repeat
Archbishop Wood (Warminster), the only new champion in 2010, would seem to be in a perfect position to repeat its title in 2011 with four of its starters juniors including Christine Verrelle, who led them in scoring in the PIAA title game with 16 points.
The Lady Vikings are the second straight District 12 school and second straight Philadelphia Catholic League school to win the girls’ Class AAA title. The Catholic League has only been a part of the PIAA for the last two years, so a Catholic League dynasty could be brewing.
