High school girls basketball: Senior night is bittersweet for Vikings' Fab 5

It’s uncertain what the future holds for Perkiomen Valley seniors Samantha Pagel, Ali Zajac, Jessica Boyle, Tory Marcavage and Colleen Smith as they prepare to start the next chapter in their lives.

One thing is for certain and had never been more evident than Thursday night--these five girls helped win the senior night basketball game by doing what they do best, playing together.

With banners adorning their names and numbers, made by their teammates, hung high in the gym's rafters, the quintet posed for pictures with underclassmen and each other on the eve of what will probably be the last set of home games of their high school careers.

Perhaps the most affected by the evening events was Pagel.

In typical “Pagel fashion,” the 5-foot-9 forward, who will be attending Gettysburg College next fall, went out and scored 18 points, 12 of which came in the second half, to lead her beloved Vikings to a 45-31 victory over Liberty division rival Methacton.

“For me it’s going to very weird next year,” said Pagel. “I have played with these girls for what feels like my whole life, and to not be on the court with them next year will be pretty hard to do. I don’t know exactly how it will feel when I take off my PV jersey for the last time.”

The win raised the Vikings' league record to 8-3 and 9-10 overall, which keeps them in contention for a fourth straight District One playoff bid, although the road will not be easy as they have two more Pac-10 contests left with Spring-Ford and Owen J. Roberts, as well as trip to Council Rock North next Wednesday.

“We want to win out the rest of our games,” added Pagel. “We know we still have a chance at districts, so we are going to work hard like we always do. Tonight is going to be so tough because we know it’s the last time we are going to play on our home court, and we have all been playing together since elementary school.”

“I went through this in soccer,” said Boyle. “You never realize how emotional it is going to be until you are standing here on senior night. I love these girls, and they are much more than teammates to me: They are friends I will have for the rest of my life.”

Perkiomen Valley rallied in the second half led by Pagel and junior Erin Hamm, who posted eight points including a clutch 4-for-4 performance from the line to knot the contest at 24 at the end of the third quarter.

 In a fitting end to their home careers, all five seniors found their way onto the scoring sheet as Zajac connected on a three pointer and hit 4-of-4 from the line to post seven points, while Smith connected twice from the free throw line for her two points.

“We have been taking one game at a time,” said Zajac, who will be hitting the hardwood in Reading next season at Albright College. “I am really going to miss these girls and the friendship we have shared for the past eight years.”

“We have played together since fifth grade,” said Smith. “We have learned together to always make the best of things. We are disappointed that we probably won’t make it to the final four, but that’s not going to stop us from working our hardest.”

Marcavage, who has received a scholarship to Kutztown University to play softball next year, hit one of two from the line and recorded a putback for her three points. Meanwhile, Boyle dropped a 10-foot jumper to get on the board.

“All the years we have been here, we have qualified for districts,” said Boyle. “When Sam and I had out last AAU game it was hard, and tonight is even more so. Senior night is fun, but it’s also very scary. I think the best memories I will keep with me forever was in my freshman and sophomore years when we reached the goal we set and made it to the Pac-10 Final Four.” 

Methacton who dropped to 6-6  in league play and  7-13 overall,  had no answer for the Vikings pressure in the final frame as Perk Valley outscored the Warriors 21-9 to erase any lingering taste of last season’s home loss to Methacton.

“I think what I will remember the most about these years is the feeling of playing with your best friends,” added an emotional  Sam Pagel. “We have had so many good times and memories together, it would be impossible to pick one that stands out, although this year we did have a sleep over with the entire team which was really fun.”

Perkiomen Valley was officially eliminated from the Pac-10 Final Four contention on Thursday, when Spring-Ford defeated Owen J, Roberts, but that won’t stop the Vikings' pursuit of a district playoff spot, which starts Saturday night on the Rams' turf.

Methacton (31) – Glatthorn 1 0-0 2, Bishop 0 2-4 2, Parker 4 0-0 9, Leszcynski 0 0-0 0, Watson 2 5-9 9, Schaffer 2 0-0 4, Reiche 2 1-3 5. Totals 11 8-16 31.

Perk Valley (45) – Smith 0 2-2 2, Boyle 1 0-0 2, Zajac 1 4-4 7, Marcavage 1 1-2 3, Guiton 2 1-2 5, Hamm 2 4-4 8, Pagel 5 6-6 18. Totals 12 18-20 45.

Methacton           8  7  9  9 – 31

Perk Valley         4  9 11 21 - 45

3-point field goals: Pagel 2, Parker, Zajac.