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Rounding up the local women’s basketball players competing in the NCAA Tournament

While Villanova may be the only school representing the Big 5, there are several local connections on teams competing in March Madness. Here’s who to know.

Richmond forward Maggie Doogan, a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara, is averaging 21 points this season.
Richmond forward Maggie Doogan, a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara, is averaging 21 points this season.Read moreJessie Alcheh / AP
    by Katie Lewis
    Published 

Villanova is the only school representing the Big 5 in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats, a No. 10 seed, are set to play No. 7 seed Texas Tech on Friday (8:30 p.m.) in Baton Rouge, La.

But players connected to the Philadelphia area are competing on rosters across this year’s March Madness bracket.

Here are the local women’s basketball players to watch:

» READ MORE: What to know about the NCAA Tournament in Philly: Who’s playing, ticket prices, and more

Philly names in the Big Dance

While many know graduate guard Olivia Miles as one of the nation’s top players with No. 3 seed TCU, Miles got her start with the Philadelphia Belles, an AAU team. The Phillipsburg, N.J., native is a three-time All-American who spent her first four years of college at Notre Dame.

Several Catholic League standouts will also be taking the court during March Madness.

Three players will represent Cardinal O’Hara: senior forward Annie Welde of Villanova, Richmond senior forward Maggie Doogan, and Fairfield’s Sydni Scott, a senior guard. From Archbishop Wood, sophomore guard Ava Renninger will compete with Fairleigh Dickinson and senior guard Ryanne Allen with Villanova.

Also for Villanova, senior guard Maggie Grant is an Archbishop Carroll graduate. And freshman forward Grace McDonough, who attended Lansdale Catholic, will compete with James Madison.

No. 1 seed Connecticut looks to defend last year’s national championship with Tonya Cardoza on staff as an assistant coach. Cardoza was Temple’s head coach from 2008 to 2022.

» READ MORE: The stars, storylines, and potential upsets to know in the NCAA women’s tournament

Other local names

  1. Navy: Freshman forward Quinn Boettinger, Schenksville, Perkiomen Valley

  2. Howard: Senior foward Nile Miller, Woodbury, Woodbury High

  3. FDU: Freshman forward Akeelah Lafleur, Willingboro, Burlington County Institute of Technology

  4. FDU: Junior forward Bella Toomey, Philadelphia, Penn Charter

  5. FDU: Sophomore forward Sydney Stokes, Linwood, Mainland Regional

  6. FDU: Freshman forward Madison Stuart, Voorhees, Eastern Regional

  7. Villanova: Graduate forward Kylee Watson, Linwood, Mainland, previously Notre Dame

  8. Villanova: Senior forward Denae Carter, Philadelphia, St. Basil Academy, previously Mississippi State

  9. Notre Dame: Junior guard Hannah Hidalgo, Merchantville, Paul VI

  10. Illinois: Junior guard Maddie Webber, Bridgeville, South Fayette, previously Villanova

  11. Colorado: Freshman forward Logyn Greer, Lansdowne, Friends’ Central School

  12. Colorado: Junior guard Maeve McErlane, Philadelphia, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, previously DePaul

  13. Holy Cross: Senior guard Kaitlyn Flanagan, Plymouth Meeting, Plymouth Whitemarsh

  14. Holy Cross: Junior guard Hannah Griffin, Conshohocken, Gwynedd Mercy Academy

  15. Louisville: Senior forward Laura Ziegler, Herlev (Denmark), previously St. Joseph’s