The reigning Group 3 state champs might look a lot different than last year, but they still know how to come through in a pressure situation.
Kirsten Gibson scored a game-high 19 points and Cherry Hill West built a 22-11 lead by halftime on its way to a 44-35 win over Moorestown on Saturday in a key Olympic Conference Patriot Division game in Cherry Hill.
In a must-win game to keep their hopes alive of repeating in the division, the Lions improved to 8-3 overall and 2-2 in the Patriot. The Quakers fell to 9-3, 4-1.
“We lost to Shawnee (on Thursday) and that was a big conference loss, so we just had to get it back,” Gibson said. “We played hard and we played great defense in the first half, and that’s kind of been our thing all year: Play defense and the offense will come.
“This season is definitely going better than I anticipated. We’re winning the games we need to win by playing hard. We have to keep working hard, get in the gym and practice, and the games will come to us.”
Cherry Hill West had modest expectations coming into the season, despite winning the program’s first state crown last year, because Gibson was the only returning starter. Coach Dan Butler knew that their rivals in the Olympic Conference would not take it easy on them, either.
“We lost four very good players and only had one returning player,” he said. “A couple of others had some experience from last year, but it was almost like we didn’t have expectations because we didn’t know how mature the girls would be and how much they’d be able to handle the pressure situations.
“It’s certainly been a pleasant surprise so far. The girls are adapting to playing against these really good teams very well. It’s a good sign of their character and their mental and physical toughness.”
The Lions started the year with two straight losses against defending South Jersey, Group 4 champion Cherokee and Moorestown, which fell to Cherry Hill West in last year’s sectional final. About a month later, they are clearly starting to find their way.
“From where we were then, back in December, to where we are now is so different,” Butler said. “We’ve grown a lot and I think we’ve gotten better and more confident offensively. Other girls are stepping up and contributing on the score sheet. I think we’re a lot better, which is really nice to see.”
Lilly Legato added nine points on Saturday and Jizel Dowling had eight. Both seniors were reserves last season and have emerged as dependable starters.
“Jizel and I had a different role last year,” Legato said. “We had to yell and cheer and be really supportive on the bench. Now that we’re on the court, we tell the other girls to do the same thing and to be ready for their moment. Me and Jizel were ready for our moment.”
While many of the players aside from Gibson lacked varsity experience in basketball, they had it in other sports, and the winning pedigree has carried over.
“A lot of them are just athletes,” Gibson said. “They’re not big on basketball, at least three of them, but they just play hard. The offense comes to them and they don’t try to do too much. They’re really stepping up in big games and it’s great.”
“What it really comes down to with all of these teams is our leadership,” Legato added. “I think that’s something our whole school does a really nice job with. The leaders on each team pass (the effort) down to everyone else. I think playing different sports also helps with our relationships. The freshmen came in and played varsity field hockey and now they’re playing varsity basketball. We’re getting closer and closer and we just love being around each other.”
Analyse Intenzo, who recently became her program’s all-time leading scorer, paced Moorestown with 18 points before fouling out.
The Quakers have a brutal stretch coming up that includes games against four teams currently in the NJ.com Top 20: Paul VI, Manasquan, Red Bank Catholic and Lenape. Middle Township is not in the Top 20 but is 11-1 and the defending South Jersey, Group 2 champion, and will host Moorestown on Monday.
As for Cherry Hill West, the Lions will look to ride the momentum from Saturday’s win into games against Seneca and Rancocas Valley. One thing is for sure: The effort will be there.
“We’re pushed every day in practice,” Legato said. “Our practices are high intensity and Butler demands a lot from us and expects us to try hard. Coming off last year, we had seniors who were great leaders and led our program to something that had never been done before. Props to them — they showed us what hard work and dedication can do.
“I think that’s why we come out like we do. We all expect each other to give everything we have on the court, and we’re really positive when we get down. We almost got down in this game, but we kept pushing ourselves and said, ‘Next play, next play, next play.’”
