Bucks County area Girls Basketball Player of the Year left her mark on PCL, PIAA playoffs
As a Blue Mountain High School freshman in Lock Haven, Ava Renninger had never heard of the Philadelphia Catholic League.
That changed when the Renningers moved to Bucks County and Renninger transferred to Archbishop Wood for her sophomore year.
Still, she didn’t quite understand the significance and reverence surrounding the Catholic League, or the Palestra.
Renninger proved to be a quick learner. And in February, the senior became a Catholic League legend.
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The Vikings’ top priority this season was to win the Catholic League championship after losing last year’s title game in heartbreaking fashion.
In this year’s championship game, Wood and Archbishop Carroll were locked in a back-and-forth game. At the end of the fourth quarter, and the game tied, Renninger stepped to the free throw line for a pair.
But something very unusual happened. She missed both.
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Renninger didn’t need to wait long for redemption. In overtime, Carroll sent her to the line for eight free throw attempts. She sank every one.
Renninger scored eight of the Vikings’ nine overtime points, finishing with a game-high 22 points, to deliver a 54-52 double overtime win for the Vikings.
And that was just the start. In four PIAA playoff games, Renninger averaged 10.5 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, including 14 points in the Vikings’ Class 4A championship game, a 37-27 win over Cathedral Prep.
After a standout senior season, Archbishop Wood senior Ava Renninger is the Courier/Intell Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Described by coach Mike McDonald as “the engine that makes the team go,” the point guard helped the Vikings go 26-5, with a perfect 12-0 record in the PCL.
She led the team with 3.2 assists and 12.1 points per game, up from 8.5 points last year, and contributed 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and .4 blocks per game. Renninger totaled 405 points this season, surpassing 1,000 for her career.
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McDonald acknowledges that Renninger’s stats could be much higher if she played for another team.
“We had many games in which Ava didn’t even play the second half because we were up by so much and wanted to give younger players time,” said McDonald. “I do feel kind of bad about that.”
He shouldn’t feel too bad though, as Renninger doesn’t mind trading individual stats for team goals.
“It’s all about winning and reaching our team goals in the postseason,” said Renninger. “Sure, it’s fun to score a lot of points in a game, but the tradeoff is worth it.
“Anyone on any given night might be the top player, and I’m happier for them than I would be for myself.”
Renninger, though, often was that top player in the most important games of the season.
In 11 games against Catholic League opponents that made the playoffs, Renninger averaged 17.1 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals and .5 blocks. She made 92 percent of her free throws, and shot 46 percent from the field, earning first-team All-Catholic honors.
Taking Care of Unfinished Business at Wood
After losing in the PCL semifinals as a sophomore, Renninger and teammate Emily Knouse, now a junior, vowed that they would win the title before Renninger graduated.
“When I missed those free throws, my morale dropped,” Renninger said. “My teammates immediately sensed how down I was, and they all boosted me up and helped me bounce back.
“Going back to the line in overtime, I just put it out of my mind because I knew those free throws are usually mine.”
Winning the PCL title is Renninger’s favorite memory of her Vikings’ career, even though she also won three state championships.
“It was the last thing on my bucket list, and it meant so much to do it with the other two seniors Alexa (Windish), Lauren (Greer), and Emily.”
As one of three seniors and a team captain, Renninger played a big part in acclimating the team’s eight freshmen.
“I’m a vocal leader and I like to push everyone to be their best and motivate everyone,” said Renninger. “I think the other players respect that and respond well.
“It’s so exciting to watch the younger girls play and see what they are able to do.”
This spring, Renninger looks forward to playing her “fun sport,” flag football, with Greer and Windish. In the fall, she will continue her basketball career at Division 1 Fairleigh Dickinson University.
“I’m so proud to have been a part of this at Wood,” Renninger said. “My coaches and teammates have changed my life for the better.
“I’ll always be grateful.”
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Girls Basketball: Wood star is Courier Times/Intell Player of the Year
