Whatever it takes
Darnell’s moment, Larkin’s team-first play lift Lady Gators
Janiah Darnell has been a pillar of consistency for the Geibel Catholic girls basketball team.
A strong rebounder and defender and a fundamentally sound player, the junior has quietly gone about her business as the Lady Gators have progressed through a sparkling 23-1 season.
Darnell has been fine with staying in the shadows, especially when it comes to scoring, leaving the points to senior Emma Larkin and sophomore Mallory Clemmer and even sharp-shooting freshman Alexa Morgan.
On Monday night, though, with the Lady Gators one win away from playing at the Petersen Events Center in the WPIAL Class A final, Darnell found herself in the spotlight.
And she didn’t blink.
With Geibel and top-seeded Aquinas Academy locked in a 50-50 tie in overtime and the clock ticking down, Darnell found an opening and Larkin zipped a pass inside to the 5-foot-9 forward, who promptly put in what would be the winning points.
The fourth-seeded Lady Gators hung on to claim a dramatic 52-50 victory in the semifinal battle held at Norwin.
Larkin, Darnell and their teammates’ goal of playing at the Pete was finally fulfilled.
Geibel coach Sara Larkin praised Darnell in looking ahead to Friday’s final against No. 2 Serra Catholic. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.
“Janiah has been steady for us from day one,” coach Larkin said. “She doesn’t chase recognition, she just works hard. When her number was called in the biggest moment of the season, she was prepared and delivered.
“Emma trusts her. That shot wasn’t luck. It was preparation meeting opportunity. I couldn’t be happier that it was her.”
Darnell had scored only two points before hitting the pressure-packed shot. Her specialty is rebounding and she yanked down 13 boards against the Lady Crusaders.
Another subplot to the Lady Gators’ run to the Pete focused on Emma Larkin, the 2,000-point scorer who broke the Geibel and Fayette County career scoring records and topped her own single-game mark during the regular season.
While most outside of Connellsville might see Larkin as simply a scoring machine, she’s proven in the postseason how much more she contributes to her team’s success with her defense, ball handling, passing ability and leadership.
Larkin rang up 34 points in the Lady Gators’ 55-53 quarterfinal home win over fifth-seeded St. Joseph last Thursday but when the game was on the line with 10 seconds left, despite an inbounds play that was supposed to end up with the ball in her hands, she chose instead to pass inside to Clemmer who scored the winning basket.
On Monday night, despite facing a defense that had limited her to just 13 points, it seemed likely it would be Larkin who would take the pressure shot this time.
Again, she opted for and made a pinpoint pass, this time to Darnell.
Two down-to-the wire exhilarating playoff games.
Two game-winning assists from the high-scoring Larkin.
“Emma has always been capable of scoring, but what stands out in these playoff games is her decision-making,” said Sara Larkin, who is not only Emma’s coach but also her mother. “In both situations, she read the defense and trusted a teammate.
“That says a lot about her understanding of what winning requires. We face defenses that are built to stop her, and she understands that. Two straight game-winning assists reflect how much she values the team over individual statistics.
“It’s about understanding what the moment requires and delivering.”
Friday’s game will be the third meeting between Geibel and Serra Catholic (17-6), who tied for the Section 2-A title. Both won on the other’s floor during the regular season, the Lady Gators 64-55 at Serra and the Lady Eagles 51-50 at Geibel.