MEDFORD – Each player on the Paul VI High School girls basketball team has a least-favorite practice drill.
For Azanah Campbell, it’s timed layup drills. For Brooke Stagliano, it’s the running. Anya George isn’t a fan of all the free throws at the end of practice.
They now all share a favorite moment of the season together. All those repetitive motions and strenuous workouts paid off in a big way as the Eagles won their first sectional championship in 36 years. And they did it by the slimmest of margins, outlasting Red Bank Catholic, 47-46, in a thrilling South Jersey Non-Public A championship March 10 at Lenape High School.
PHOTO GALLERY: Paul VI High School Girls Basketball Sectional Title
“We worked so hard every single day,” said Campbell, a senior who scored six points in the win. “We push each other every day in practice. Even if we’re not at practice, we push each other and try to help each other fix things.”
Not much has been broken for Paul VI this season; they will carry a 27-0 record into the state championship game against another undefeated power, Morris Catholic (27-0), at Rutgers University on March 14. But the Eagles survived overtime in the semifinal round against Saint John Vianney and came from behind against Red Bank Catholic in the sectional final. Paul VI trailed by a point with 15.2 seconds left, until George willed her way to the free throw line to earn a pair of attempts. During practices, Paul VI players take 50 free throw attempts before they go home.
“I’ve been in this position plenty of times,” said George, a senior. “All we do in practice is free throws … so I’m just trusting all the work that I put in.”
George drained both shots to put Paul VI up by one, and the Eagles needed to protect the basket in the final moments. The Caseys had three desperation shots clank off the iron before the buzzer sounded.
“Oh my gosh, I was gripping my friend’s hand for dear life,” said Stagliano, who scored a team-high 16 points but was on the bench for a defensive replacement in the final seconds. “I don’t even know what was going through my head. A million thoughts. When they missed, oh my gosh, I’ve never been happier.”
It was Paul VI’s fourth straight trip to the sectional final, but their first time leaving with smiles.
“It couldn’t be more exciting than a one-point win,” coach Orlando Hidalgo said. They made some big shots, but I give credit to my girls. They battled through. That’s the way it’s been all season. We’ve been through a few overtimes already, and when it comes to crunch time, they find a way to win.”
The Eagles relied on their rigorous practices and experience in those trying moments. “Those moments helped us get to where we are today,” Stagliano said.
All those hours, all that running and all those shots equaled an opportunity to make history.
“All I’m saying is, ‘Please make these free throws,’” Hidalgo said with a laugh. “We worked so hard on them. In the last two Saint John Vianney playoff games, we missed some free throws. But [today], we made the ones that counted.”
On Monday they celebrated. On Tuesday, it was back to the grind. The Eagles knew a tough practice was probably coming. “Oh man, those layup drills and not making the times and having to run for it,” Campbell said. “Gosh I hate it so much. But we always push each other through it.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
