Mount St. Joseph Academy launched its basketball season last Saturday morning with a trip to Newtown Square, where they scrimmaged with a team from the Inter-Ac League, Episcopal Academy (EA). Last winter, the EA Churchwomen logged a 7-5 record in the Inter-Ac, finishing third behind The Academy of Notre Dame and Germantown Academy.

Saturday’s encounter followed a regular game format, and by the end of the first quarter, the visiting Magic, of Mount St. Joseph, had opened up a double-digit lead, at 17–7. In the end, they would outscore Episcopal 58–37, after leading by 33 points at the end of the third period.

In the 2024-25 campaign, the Mounties finished third in the regular season within the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies (AACA). Their 4–4 league record netted them the third seed for the AACA tournament, where they staged a late rally in their semifinal game but ultimately lost to Villa Maria. In the finals, Villa knocked off Gwynedd Mercy, the previously undefeated number one seed.

Mount St. Joseph graduated three players from the 2024–25 line-up, two guards and six-foot forward Charlotte McDaid. Another six-footer, Bridget Horgan, is back this winter as a senior.

The co-captains for the 2025–26 season are Horgan and guard Morgan Cross, who are the only two seniors on the roster. Neither player has finalized her college plans.

Caroline Dougherty is the only junior who is returning from last year’s varsity team, but now she’s joined by two of her classmates. Anna Rose Marshall has moved up from the junior varsity squad, and Jahtalia “JJ” Miros, an accomplished 5’10” hitter on the Mount volleyball team, will strengthen the Magic front court.

The Mount had a strong freshman class last season, and all six players who were varsity freshmen a year ago are back as 10th-graders. They are Caitlin Cavallaro, Carly Derouin, Maddi Eichenhofer, Nina Meierdiercks, Delaney O’Brien, and Sienna Ruiz.

Head coach Matt Feeney is now beginning his seventh season with the Mount program, as is assistant coach Joe Pensabene. Former MSJ standout Deirdre Regan is in her fourth year on the coaching staff. The Episcopal franchise looks to be in something of a rebuilding mode this season, operating under its third head coach in as many years.

For last Saturday’s scrimmage at EA, Mount co–captains Cross and Horgan started for the Magic, along with Dougherty, Cavallaro, and Derouin.

A pair of layups by Dougherty got the Magic’s offense moving. The Churchwomen kept pace early, and led 7–6 midway through the first quarter. After that, the Mounties charged into the lead. Dougherty, Miros, and Meierdiercks all scored, and Ruiz bagged a three–pointer from the right corner. The scoring for the first period wrapped up with Miros hitting a layup on an inbounds play, spreading the score to 17–7.

In transition, Episcopal had problems coping with the Mount’s defensive pressure and the Magic were able to score off of turnovers. Cross and Derouin paced the attack as the first half wound down, and the visitors led 34–15 at the intermission.

The contest proceeded in the same manner through the third quarter, which ended with the Mount ahead, 51–18.

The Magic were a bit more laid back on defense in the final eight minutes, and Episcopal benefited from the perimeter shooting of sophomore Clara Rendle. She netted three consecutive three–pointers in the final frame after sinking one in the second quarter.

The Mounties were scheduled to head into the Thanksgiving weekend after a home–court scrimmage on Nov. 25.