Wilson vs. Cardinal O'Hara: PIAA Class 6A Girls Basketball Second Round Preview
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District 3 champion Wilson will face Philadelphia Catholic League power Cardinal O’Hara Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Coatesville High School in the second round of the PIAA Class 6A girls basketball tournament.
The Bulldogs (28-2) enter riding a 20-game winning streak after defeating Conestoga 59-46 in the opening round, while the Lions (22-4) advanced with a 58-31 victory over Downingtown East.
The winner advances to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament to face either District 1 runner-up Pennsbury or District 6 champion Altoona, which play Tuesday at Mechanicsburg at 5:00.
Wilson and O'Hara met up on Dec. 11 in the regular season with the Lions winning 61-49.
PIAA Class 6A girls basketball second round
12-3 Cardinal O'Hara Lions (22-4)
Head coach: Chrissie Doogan, eighth season
Points per game: 53.7
Points allowed per game: 35.2
Cardinal O’Hara made it to the Philadelphia Catholic League championship in February before falling to Archbishop Carroll, which defeated Wilson in this same round of the state playoffs last year.
The Lions are powered by a veteran point guard in Megan Rullo and a roster loaded with college prospects.
Rullo, a 5-8 senior point guard and Drexel commit, leads the Lions after returning from a torn ACL that forced her to miss her entire junior season. Much like Wilson senior Laila Jones, Rullo has stepped back into a leadership role following a year-long recovery and now serves as the engine of O’Hara’s offense.
O’Hara has a strong junior class highlighted by guards Brigidanne Donohue and Leah Hudak, both of whom have collected multiple Division I offers. Donohue, a 5-9 combo guard, provides size and scoring versatility on the perimeter, while 5-8 guard Hudak adds outside shooting and playmaking ability after a breakout offseason.
The Lions feature size throughout the lineup. Junior forwards Carly Wakefield and Brezhae Davis each stand around 5-foot-11, giving O’Hara length and physicality, while sophomore 6-1 wing Catie Doogan can stretch defenses with perimeter shooting.
Freshman 6-3 center Olivia Craft adds another dimension inside as a shot-blocker and rebounder capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor.
O’Hara advanced to the second round with a 58-31 victory over Downingtown East with Davis (13 points), Rullo (12), and Hudak (11) each scoring in double figures. The Lions have been to five state championship games, winning three:
2024 (42-26 win over Spring-Ford in 6A)
2022 (42-19 win over Chartiers Valley in 5A)
2021 (51-27 win over Chartiers Valley in 5A)
2016 (57-34 loss to Cumberland Valley in 4A)
2009 (67-58 loss to Mount Lebanon in 4A)
Overall, O'Hara is 42-13 in the state tournament. The Lions fell to Garnet Valley 49-43 in double OT last season in the state quarterfinals.
3-1 Wilson Bulldogs (28-2)
Head coach: Matt Raquet, second season
Points per game: 57.3
Points allowed per game: 34.7
Wilson enters the second round riding a 20-game winning streak after capturing both the Berks County and District 3 championships, the program’s first titles in each since 2014.
The Bulldogs advanced with a 59-46 victory over Conestoga in the opening round, led by Kailani Hardy's 18 points, Laila Jones' 13, and Laura Crocona's 12.
Jones, a 5-6 senior point guard and 1,000-point scorer, directs the Bulldogs’ offense. Jones returned this season after missing last year with a torn ACL and averages 11.6 points per game. She has knocked down a team-high 60 3-pointers while serving as the team’s primary playmaker and ball handler.
Junior 5-9 wing Hardy, the Berks Player of the Year, gives Wilson versatility on both ends of the floor. Hardy also averages 11.6 ppg and provides scoring at all three levels. Hardy often guards the opponent’s top offensive weapon.
Senior 5-8 wing Crocona, a Kutztown commit, adds perimeter shooting and postseason experience, averaging 8.9 ppg with 43 made 3-pointers, while junior 5-9 guard Ryan Leaman, a North Carolina lacrosse commit, contributes scoring punch and defensive pressure after delivering several key performances during the Bulldogs' district playoff run.
Inside, senior 5-11 forward Violet Houck, Jacksonville track and field, anchors Wilson’s rebounding and interior defense, helping fuel a unit allowing just 34.7 ppg.
Sophomore forward Jade Lee provides depth off the bench with the ability to guard all five positions and attack the glass.
Wilson’s district-title path included wins over Red Lion and Dallastown, programs that also picked up victories in the first round of states last Friday. Red Lion defeated Scranton 49-34 and Dallastown defeated Spring-Ford 50-41.
Overall, Wilson is 18-16 in the PIAA playoffs. The furthest the Bulldogs have gone is to the semifinals, where they made it in the 4A bracket in 2008 before falling to Mount Lebanon.
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