High school girls basketball: McKenna Woliczko injury overshadows SI20 Showcase game as No. 2 Ontario Christian beats No. 1 Archbishop Mitty 61-44

CONCORD, Calif. — No. 2 Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.) won the rematch against No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 61-44 on Saturday at the fourth annual Sabrina Ionescu SI20 Showcase, but the game was overshadowed by the injury to the Monarchs' five-star junior McKenna Woliczko.

The Mitty post was hustling back on transition defense three minutes into the second quarter when she crumpled to the ground just outside the paint, holding her right knee. The gym went silent as trainers worked on her and then as her father helped carry her off the court.

"I went to my knee and said a prayer for her," Ontario Christian coach Aundre Cummings said. "The game is precious but we always hope that no one gets injured. I hope she's OK — that's bigger than the win for sure."

Woliczko's injury came as she was whistled for a foul on Alanna Neale with Mitty leading 19-17.

The second-ranked Knights would take a 32-28 lead into intermission as Archbishop Mitty struggled to find itself after losing one of its leaders.

"I think it's difficult in that situation to compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand, which is competing against a really good Ontario Christian team we beat two weeks ago and knew were going to come in with fresh legs and renewed sense of purpose," Mitty coach Sue Phillips said.

Ontario Christian stretched its lead to start the third period behind freshman Tati Griffin, who put up four quick points before picking up her fourth foul two minutes into the half.

With Griffin on the bench, Mitty went on a 12-0 run to take a 40-38 lead on a Devin Cosgriff baseline jumper before sophomore Kaleena Smith answered to tie the game at 40 with 70 seconds left in the period.

From there it was all Ontario Christian, which closed game on a 21-4 run as the Monarchs ran out of steam and the Knights took advantage.

"I have to admit when it (Woliczko's injury) happened it didn't feel the same coaching," Cummings said. "So I found myself shrinking. I wanted her to play, we wanted her to play because we are such competitors. 

As it progressed, they showed they're really good. So my assistant coach reminded me 'You gotta still coach. They're good.' "

Leading 42-40 headed into the final frame, Dani Robinson blocked Cosgriff and turned it into a transition bucket on the other side. Then Smith, the game's MVP who finished with 23 points, began to put the contest out of reach with a drive down the right side and a spin-cycle finish, and-one to give OC a 47-40 lead with 5 minutes remaining.

"We did a terrific job of competing and fighting back but we just couldn't sustain it," Phillips said. "We had some difficult stretches when they went on some runs and we let it slip away from us."

The Monarchs were 8 of 18 from the free throw line for the game and a 3-pointer from Ze'Ni Patterson was the only made field goal in the fourth quarter.

Patterson led the Monarchs with 14 points while freshman Maliya Hunter added 9. In addition to Smith's 23, Griffin had 14 and fellow freshman Sydney Douglas added nine.

The game was hyped as the sequel to a Mitty runaway 59-34 win on Dec. 21 in the final of the Nike Tournament of Champions. It was the first loss of the season for Ontario Christian, knocking them from No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25, and the second straight TOC title for Mitty.

Saturday's game was billed as the second act in what might be a brilliant trilogy before the injury to Woliczko overshadowed the game.

"I'll take the win, but I hope and pray that we see them at state if we can get there and to see them at full strength," Cummings said. "Nothing would make me happier than to play them with their very best players."