See who is Courier Times/Intell Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in Bucks County area
Like many high school basketball coaches, Mike McDonald was short on sleep this winter.
Unlike most coaches, though, McDonald was preparing for a state championship while taking care of his newborn daughter, Mairead.
Mairead McDonald was born on Super Bowl Sunday, a week earlier than her expected arrival.
“She was supposed to be born on the day of our first league playoff game,” McDonald said. “I would say that I was pretty stressed.”
Mairead’s dad went on to win the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, and followed by winning his fourth straight PIAA state championship.
For those reasons, McDonald is the Courier/Intell Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
Girls Basketball All Stars: All Area Teams / Player of the Year / Team of the Year
Balancing a baby and basketball wasn’t easy. But McDonald gives most of the credit to his wife, Julia, and his players, respectively.
“My wife is a superhero,” McDonald said. “She’s supportive and always has my back.
“And my players made it easy to walk into that gym every day. I’m a part of their lives and they are a part of mine.”
Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Bucks County area Girls Basketball Player of the Year left her mark on PCL, PIAA playoffs
The Vikings players, naturally, were thrilled about the new addition to their family. The team attended the McDonald’s baby shower, and was thrilled when she made an appearance at practice.
Mairead was even in attendance at a few playoff games.
“She was our good luck charm,” said McDonald.
Luck, though, has little to do with how successful the Vikings have been under McDonald.
Since taking over the helm in 2015, the Cardinal Dougherty alum has won six state championships, three Catholic League championships, and four PIAA Coach of the Year honors.
Over the years, the Vikings have graduated numerous Division 1 talents. They lost eight seniors from last year’s team, including Deja Evans (Albany), and had eight freshmen on this year's team.
Despite that, the young squad rolled to a 7-0 start, and finished the season 26-5. The Vikings’ epitomized the ‘next girl up’ mentality, and played for team goals rather than individual accolades.
“Our kids buy in,” said McDonald. “They know they’re playing for a championship.”
Girls Basketball Team of the Year: Girls Basketball: PIAA state champions earn Team of the Year honors for Bucks County area
That means that a Vikings’ star player might not have the gaudy stats that they would have on another team.
“With Ava (Renninger) and Emily (Knouse), they were on the bench for the second half of most of our regular season games,” McDonald said. “When the playoffs start, that’s when their real season begins, and they came through big time.”
That allowed McDonald to give his freshmen and sophomores plenty of playing time during the season.
“Our veteran players welcomed them and held them accountable,” said McDonald of the younger players, which include his niece, freshman Sophia McDonald. “Even in practice, they are putting in a lot of work.”
The team went 12-0 in the PCL, which was the first undefeated season for McDonald. Its final league game, the Catholic League championship game, was one the team had been waiting for since last year, when the Vikings fell to Lansdale Catholic on a buzzer-beater.
“Our goal was to win both the league and state championships, but we made the PCL a little bigger,” said McDonald. “The environment is one you can’t find anywhere else.”
The Vikings’ five losses came against top-ranked teams in the state and nation. They could have easily had an undefeated season, but McDonald schedules those tough games for the benefit of the team’s goals.
“We had a couple bad weeks that we weren’t happy with,” McDonald said. “Those tough games made it easier when we got to states.”
The Vikings defeated Cathedral Prep in the Class 5A championship, giving Wood a PIAA-record nine state titles, and helped continue the prominence of girls basketball.
“Sometimes it’s just the big-name players that get the attention,” said McDonald. “I try to promote my girls as much as possible because they are much more than just their stats.”
While McDonald and the Vikings will most certainly go on to win more championships, maybe even many more, this season will hold a special place in his heart.
“This has just been a special time in my life,” McDonald said. “I’ve felt the love of my family and the community more than ever.”
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Courier/Intell Coach of Year led youthful girls basketball team to title
