Quest for revenge helps Garnet Valley rise above Springfield

LOWER MERION — In terms of size and all-around skill, few teams in the area can match up with Garnet Valley.

Certainly, the Emily McAteer-Brianne Borcky combo has presented nightmares to many teams ever since the four-year varsity standouts were freshmen. Just one Central League team — Springfield — has figured out a way to beat Garnet Valley during that span.

In last year’s Central League final, Springfield capitalized on several Garnet Valley turnovers (14 of them after the first quarter), hit timely shots and held McAteer and Borcky to a quiet 15 points each. The result? Garnet Valley’s incredible streak of four consecutive Central League championships was over, and Springfield’s reign had begun.

“We never forgot last year,” McAteer said Wednesday, “and ever since the first day of practice, we did everything we could to get it back.”

The Jags’ comeback mission, initiated in offseason open gyms, was completed Wednesday night at Harriton. GV’s all-senior starting lineup of McAteer, Borcky, Jillian Nagy, Morgan Falcone and Madi McKee captured their third Central League title with a 57-52 victory.

Borcky and McAteer were excellent down the stretch, combining for 21 of Garnet Valley’s 30 points in the fourth quarter.

While McAteer posted up, secured missed shots and generally dominated inside the paint, Borcky was 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. Nagy was instrumental to the Jags’ success, as well. The shooting guard had five of her 14 points in the final quarter.

“I think we had to use our height to our advantage, and Emily was the one making all of her shots inside,” said Borcky, who finished with 13 points, five rebounds and a block. “We wanted to push it in to her most of the time, but we relied on each other. It was all five of us.”

McAteer scored 27 points, including a dozen in the fourth, and grabbed 10 rebounds. She was sensational all night.

After Nagy’s layup tied the game at 32, McAteer made back-to-back baskets, including a three-point play, to put the Jags ahead for good. Borcky then hit two free throws to give GV a 39-32 advantage, and Springfield couldn’t catch up. After the Cougars relinquished the lead, the closest they got was five points the rest of the way.

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