O’Hara Girls Basketball: 2021 State Champions

Our Community feature by Holly Stupak

The Cardinal O’Hara Lady Lions could not have asked for a better ending to what was already a memorable season. The team was 15-3 and needed one final victory to secure the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 5A State Championship. On March 27, they did just that, knocking off the defending state champion Chartiers Valley 51-27 and bringing home O’Hara’s first state title.

Maggie Doogan with her mom and Coach, Chrissie Doogan

Photo courtesy of Chrissie Doogan

Leading up to the final game, the team had an unusual and shortened season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

I couldn’t have scripted a better game!” said Coach and O’Hara Alumna Chrissie Doogan. “The girls did a great job executing the game plan. The girls were such troopers all season with all the changes they had to adapt to. I admired their resilience.

Coach Chrissie’s own daughter, Maggie, a junior who scored 13 points in the championship game, shared her teammate’s sentiments. “We really wanted to win and we were not going to back down from this opportunity. We made the most of it and enjoyed every minute!” said Maggie. Sharing the win with her mom made the experience even sweeter.

I think winning the state championship meant even more to me since I got to do it with my mom," Maggie said, "and I can’t imagine experiencing it with anyone else.”

“This win was a really fun moment for our family,” added Chrissie. As Maggie’s coach and mom, she said the two love to talk basketball and hit the gym together. “It’s an honor to be along on Maggie’s basketball journey,” Chrissie said proudly.

The unique season also gave the players more bonding time and a greater appreciation for the games that they could play. “We were really grateful to even have a season!” said senior Kaitlin McPeak, a Newtown Square resident and St. Anastasia School alumna.

We spent a lot of time together, doing team activities. We wanted to keep everyone healthy and not get exposed to COVID, so we hung out with each other a lot," Kaitlin said. "It brought us closer and it definitely improved our chemistry on the court.

The 2021 State Champions: Cardinal O’Hara girls Basketball Team

Photo by Mike Nance. Courtesy of PhiladelphiaSportsDigest.com

Senior Julia Stellabotte said the team’s closeness really contributed to their successful season and championship win.

We had the best chemistry!" said Julia. "Getting to know our teammates really well and practicing hard is what got us to make history!

Coach Chrissie has had her own exciting basketball journey. As a freshman at O’Hara, she played on the Varsity team. During her time there, she led her team to three Catholic championships, and was the Daily Times Player of the Year as well as being named All-Delco, All-Catholic and Catholic MVP.

For the past three seasons, Coach Chrissie has continued to keep alive the O’Hara Girls basketball’s tradition of excellence. The team made it to the state finals in 2009 and 2016, but this was the school team’s first championship win.

Earlier this season, after the team lost three of their Catholic league games, Chrissie said that seemed to cause “a turning point, and it was almost like after that, they decided that they were going to be the state champions!” The team went on to win nine consecutive games, advancing to the Philadelphia Catholic League final, and then moved on to the three-game state championship tournament.

The O’Hara Girls basketball team celebrating their win

Photo by Pete Bannan, Delaware County Daily Times

During the season, their opponent Chartiers Valley was scoring more than 90 points per game, even hitting the 100 mark earlier in the season. But on the night of the final at the Giant Arena in Hershey, PA, they were no match for the Lady Lions who were leading 28-11 at the half. Along with Maggie’s 13 points, senior Siobhan Boylan scored 10 points, junior Sydni Scott got 16, and junior Annie Welde made 6 points. But it was their team’s defense that won the game. “Coach always says defense creates offense,” Kaitlin explained. “We were having a great defensive game and when we play like that, our shots go in, too.”

When the game was over, the team got a surprise: a police escort back to O’Hara where they got to cut down the basketball net. “We are so appreciative to the Marple Township police and the community for making the win even more special!” said Chrissie.

“Between passing the trophy around in the locker room after the game, then having our friends and family and the community welcome us back at O’Hara, it was an unforgettable feeling!” added Kaitlin.

Congratulations, Coach Doogan and the 2021 Lady Lions, from your Marple Friends & Neighbors! And best of luck to you next season!

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