After playing basketball together much of their lives from township teams to high school, Plymouth Whitemarsh Girls Basketball’s Abby Sharpe and Erin Daley earned their spots in the school’s 1,000-point club within two weeks of each other.
“They’re very good friends, and they’re both elite basketball players in different ways. Abby’s a scorer, and Erin is such a defensive presence,” said PWHS Girls Basketball Head Coach Dan Dougherty. “They’ve been an integral part of these great teams at PW, and each year their games have just gotten better and better.”
Erin Daley and Abby Sharpe
For her 1,000th point, Sharpe landed the third of three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer in the first quarter of the team’s 74-25 win over Springfield on January 12.
“Coming into senior year, [earning 1,000 points] was definitely a reality and definitely a goal,” said Abby. “I looked up to that banner growing up and coming to the PW gym. It’s definitely exciting that my name will be up there with all the other great names that are there.”
Four-year starter Daley got her 1,000th point on a basket in the second quarter of the 49-48 win over rival Abington on Jan. 23.
“I feel like, over the past four years, I’ve made a home, and everyone has seen me grow into the player that I am senior year,” said Erin. “To see all the support and love that I have around me is just one of the most comforting things. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else than where I am right now.”
Both girls played key roles in last year’s undefeated season and continue to take pride in what the team has been able to accomplish for 2022-2023.
“I think this program has grown into a powerhouse in regards to high school basketball, and it’s really special to be a part of that and a part of building this culture,” said Abby. “I’m just really proud to be here.”
“They show that the dream can come true,” added Coach Dougherty. “You come to PW; it’s this wonderful school. They both will have their names on the 1,000 point banner, and they’ve won the first ever state championship for a girls program here. I think they show the example of the dream of what every kid has in Colonial.”
While discussing their achievements, the two players are also quick to mention the value of the fans — especially the younger ones.
“The support from the community is really unmatched this year and last year,” said Abby. “We always have great turnouts at our home games from many different kinds of people. We have parents. We have kids. We have students. I think it says a lot for girls basketball to have fans like that come out.”
“And to all these girls that come to our games and support us so much, it’s just really cool to be a role model for them,” said Erin. “All the hard work that we’ve been doing is rubbing off on these younger girls, and, generation after generation, everyone will want to keep playing. With all the support, it pushes us to work harder and keep loving what we’re doing.”
Abby Sharpe was the 11th and Erin Daley the 12th PWHS Girls Basketball player in school history to reach the 1,000 point mark.