Villa Maria rolls to district championship

At times, Villa Maria coach Kathy McCartney has to urge floor general Brooke Angelos to shoot more and pass less.

"I have to remind her how key she is for us," she said. "She's a pretty humble kid. She likes to spread the ball around."

Saturday in the PIAA District 1 Class AAA girls' basketball final, Angelos, unselfish as they come, dished out six assists and made three steals in leading the Hurricanes to a 56-38 triumph over Villa Joseph Marie at Villanova's Pavilion.

The 5-foot-6 senior, who didn't record her field-goal attempt until the 19th minute, scored six of her 10 points over the final six minutes. Overall, she shot 3 for 4 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line.

"I do have a pass-first approach," Angelos said, "but I shoot when I'm open or if we're trailing. If we're down or the team really needs me, I become more aggressive on the offensive end."

Villa Maria earned its first district title since 2008, when Angelos was a freshman starter. It was the program's fifth crown in the last eight years and ninth overall.

Angelos, of Newtown Square, is close friends with Delco Christian's Emily Homan, a 6-3 senior center who on Friday helped the Knights capture top honors in District 1 Class A with a victory over Sacred Heart.

"I texted her congratulations after the win," Angelos said. "We'll probably hang out and celebrate together later on."

Against Villa Joseph Marie, a rival in the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies, sophomore Lisa Mirachi shot 12 for 14 from the line and hit two three-pointers on the way to 20 points. Senior wing guard Kellie O'Rourke nailed two threes en route to 11.

The Hurricanes (21-6) pulled away with a 13-2 burst at the start of the second half. O'Rourke's left-wing trey, Mirachi's left-side runner, and Angelos' layup off a steal made it 35-24 with 3 minutes, 3 seconds left in the third quarter.

"We got out and started to score in transition," McCartney said. "That was the difference."

Villa Maria's Kristen Walheim, a 6-0 junior, chipped in 10 rebounds (five on offense) and five points. Junior sub Maddie McTigue collected seven boards and a blocked shot.

In the fourth quarter, a 10-foot jumper from Angelos gave the Hurricanes a 42-32 cushion. Her breakaway layup, off an outlet pass from O'Rourke, made it 47-34.

The Jems (14-12) were paced by senior Meghan Ledwith's 12 points and nine boards. Mary Newell, a junior center, managed 10 points, six boards, and three steals off the bench.

Both teams will begin play next Saturday in the state tournament. Villa Maria will open with Kennard-Dale, District 3's No. 5 seed. Villa Joseph Marie will face West York, District 3's No. 4 seed.

Villa Joseph Marie   10 12 9 7 – 38

Villa Maria   8 14 16 18 – 56

VJM: Melissa Poderis 7, Christine Gorrell 5, Courtney Shaw 2, Alexi Stershic 2, Meghan Ledwith 12, Mary Newell 10.

VM: Brooke Angelos 10, Kellie O'Rourke 11, Kristen Walheim 5, Lisa Mirachi 20, Maria Ferrari 5, Maddie McTigue 1, Kelly Anthony 2, Katie Higgins 2.