SAN JOSE — Anyone sitting in the home stands at Fien Gymnasium, saw two things that stood out like a sore thumb.
The first being the bright gold balloons behind Archbishop Mitty’s bench to commemorate senior night. The second being Mitty’s two leading scorers wearing sweat suits instead of the Monarchs’ white Nike home jerseys.
Like almost every night this season, Mitty trounced their opponents and Tuesday was no different. This time it was a 76-20 win over Valley Christian in the regular season finale to improve to 24-0 and presumably lock up the No. 1 seed in the Central Coast Section Open playoffs.
The win was even more impressive considering both McKenna Woliczko and Morgan Cheli — arguably the Monarchs’ top two players — did not play in Tuesday’s game.
Even down two starters, there was no drop off in play and the Monarchs looked just as dominant as they do when Woliczko and Cheli are on the floor. Senior Belle Bramer and sophomore Emma Cook each had 16 points in the win.
As Mitty awaits the return of its two stars, some can now wonder: When Mitty’s top two players return, how dominant will the Monarchs become in the playoffs?
Archbishop Mitty’s Elana Weisman (11), Belle Bramer (23) and Morgan Cheli (33) stand for a picture during a senior night ceremony before a game against Valley Christian at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Cheli has been dealing with an undisclosed injury for the last two weeks. Tuesday was the UConn commit’s fourth straight game she missed and Phillips said her status is day-to-day with no timetable for return.
“I’m definitely inching to get back out there,” Cheli said.
The good news for Mitty is that Woliczko is slated to return to action for the team’s first round CCS game on Friday after dealing with the flu over the past few days.
The Monarchs’ game against Valley Christian started as expected. Mitty went into a 2-2-1 trapping press early and built a 21-3 after the first quarter. At halftime, Mitty led by 29 points and Phillips cleared her bench early in the third quarter.
Games like the one against Valley Christian have become the norm for the Monarchs this season. Tuesday’s game was the 14th straight victory by 20 or more points and the ninth victory by 50 or more points.
But as Phillips let some of her younger players get time on the floor, she had a plan. Throughout the second half, the Monarchs moved the ball around with an intent to get other players involved who wouldn’t normally see the floor.
Six or more players scored eight points or more against Valley Christian and all but two players scored a basket in the second half.
Archbishop Mitty’s Morgan Cheli (33), center, cheers teammates onto the court before a game against Valley Christian at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
“Anytime your team could distribute the load differently amongst the team, you’re going to see more growth,” Phillips said about the team playing without Cheli and Woliczko.
“As a coach you look at it as an opportunity for some of the other players to be put in positions to have to execute and communicate. It was good for our young players for sure.”
Mitty got contributions from underclassmen Tee Mccarthy, Janaya Williams and Cook who all combined to score 30 points off the bench.
When Cheli does return, Phillips said fitting her back into the lineup won’t be too difficult even if other players might have to sacrifice some of the offensive load.
“The great thing about Morgan is she’s so versatile,” Phillips said. “She can essentially play every position.”
Though Mitty is patiently waiting for its two leading scorers to come back to the floor, the Monarchs believe there was a positive in playing without Woliczko and Cheli for the past week.
“Other players just have had to step up,” Bramer said. “We’ve been doing that the past couple of games, but we do miss McKenna and Morgan a lot.”
Cheli added, “I know me and McKenna want to be out there, so it’s always hard. But to be able to watch and help our team out … when we come back, I think will be a benefit to all of us.”
Belle Bramer (23), right, and Morgan Cheli (33), left, smile during the nation anthem before a game against Valley Christian at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
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