By PAUL GOTHAM
TROY, N.Y. — Molly O’Toole missed her first three shots of Saturday’s NYS Class AA semifinal at the Edward F. McDonough Health and Physical Education and Recreation Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.
The Aquinas senior didn’t miss many more.
And neither did her teammates.
The Li’l Irish had a double-digit lead before the end of the first quarter and stretched their advantage to 28 at halftime on the way to a 67-39 victory over Section IX champion, Warwick.
“As a shooter, everyone keeps telling me to keep shooting,” said O’Toole who led three in double figures with 19 points. “It’s just a testament to all my hard work and all the shots in the gym that I put up every day.”
AJ Orr scored seven of the first nine Aquinas points and then set up O’Toole for a corner three. The Li’l Irish led 12-2 and faced little resistance from that point forward.
Orr had 15 points and O’Toole 11 before they headed to the locker room.
Warwick had held its previous seven opponents to 46 points or less. The Li’l Irish had a 44-16 lead after 16 minutes of play.
“We had really good ball movement,” O’Toole said. “Everyone was part of it. That’s what we want to do every game.”
One year after falling in the NYS Class A semifinal, Aquinas advanced to Sunday’s title game against Section VIII victors, Baldwin. It will be the first trip to the state championship since 2011 for Aquinas girls’ basketball.
AJ Orr, and-one, starts the scoring for @AQ__Athletics @SecVGBasketball pic.twitter.com/3GL5rEGaz2
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 22, 2025
AJ Orr finds Molly O’Toole for a corner 3. @AQ__Athletics 12-2. pic.twitter.com/P378WpcjS9
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 22, 2025
Loren Green from distance. @SecVGBasketball pic.twitter.com/65sUdWiYhD
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 22, 2025
Molly O’Toole, all twine. @SecVGBasketball pic.twitter.com/6qf36YJAGp
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) March 22, 2025
“It’s amazing,” said O’Toole. “I couldn’t ask for a better team, better environment and better culture. To be here tomorrow means the world.”
The Li’l Irish shot 18-of-30 from the floor for the first half and didn’t relax in the second half.
Orr led O’Toole into the open floor early for a layup early in the third quarter. AQ led 48-18 and had all but clinched a spot in Sunday’s championship.
“As a senior, this is what I wanted,” the D’Youville University commit said. “I wanted to go out on a high note. To be here and know that we’re not done means the world.”
As well as the Aquinas offense performed, the defense was even better. The Li’l Irish forced nine turnovers in the first half, and held the Wildcats to seven field goals.
O’Toole finished with 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting. Orr had 17 points hitting 8-of-10 from the floor to go with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Loren Green scored 12. Samiyah Wright accounted for seven points and 10 rebounds. Jade Harvey (6) and Carlé Thomas (6) also scored for Aquinas.
Emily Romig led Warwick with 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting along with seven rebounds. Kaitlyn Larney had 12 rebounds. Kelsey Larney (5), Reese Girardi (5), Abigail Horowitz (3) and Gianna Sgagna (3) contributed for Warwick.
Baldwin (23-1), Sunday’s opponent, defeated Catholic Central, 62-55 in the other semifinal. Payton Dulin, who scored 24 in the Bruins regional win, led four in double figures with 20 on Saturday.
A 10 a.m. tip-off is scheduled Sunday.
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