News Detail
Girls' Varsity Basketball Drops Opener to Ireton in Non-Conference Action
The EHS girls' basketball team knew they had their hands full walking into Godley Gymnasium Wednesday evening to face WCAC opponent Bishop Ireton. Arguably the top high school league in the country, the WCAC consistently showcases athletes who go on to play at some of the most prominent Division I, II, and III schools in the country. Despite also knowing that the Cardinals had an additional two weeks of practice, the team was prepared to face this non-confernce foe, excited at the opportunity to compete against some of the best talent in the area.
Though BI's 6-4 center was able to secure the opening tip for the home team, sophomore Lexi Weger halted their offensive momentum by deflecting pass to teammate Brooks Buyck to prevent their first basket. Determined to regain possession, BI tightened up on defense and converted two defensive stops into layups. The Maroon responded by breaking BI's swarming press and finding freshman Kailyn Shepherd under the hoop for her first points as a high school student. Intent upon defending their home court, however, the Cardinals sank a three-pointer and another layup with five minutes remaining in the half to take a 9-2 lead.
After a quick timeout to adjust and regroup, the Maroon proved in the final four minutes that defense is the best way to create offense. The visiting team notched three consecutive steals from their stifling back court pressure, resulting in back-to-back buckets from senior Bea Huffines. A perfectly-timed block and coast-to-coast layup from Weger at the two minute mark brought the Maroon to their feet, reenergized and ready to fight. Sophomore Sophie Singletary struck next, picking the pocket of an unsuspecting post player and finishing her layup with gumption, giving the Maroon a one point advantage and forcing an Ireton timeout. A three from the Cardinals and a layup by Shepherd deadlocked the hungry teams at 12-12 headed into the second quarter.
That's when the momentum shifted in favor of the home team, however. The second and third quarters truly belonged to the Cardinals, outscoring the Maroon 38-12. The Maroon battled back as best they could, but had difficulty converting open threes and many bunnies around the rim. Despite an incredibly valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter (outscoring the Cardinals 12-10), the team fell in their season opener by a score of 60-33. Weger led EHS in scoring with 11 points, and Huffines finished the night just one point away with a double-double (9 points, 11 rebounds). Buyck and Weger also grabbed seven and six rebounds, respectively.
In basketball, athletes and coaches are taught to embrace a short term memory, quickly learning from past mistakes and making adjustments for the future. Our team is determined not dwell on the loss, but is focused on preparing for our next big test on the road this weekend: the Sidwell Tournament loaded with talented ISL opponents. The squad faces GDS on Friday night at 5:15 p.m.- please come out and support if you are able!
Statistics
Lexi Weger: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 assist
Bea Huffines: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist
Kaylin Shepherd: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Sophie Singletary: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist
Hadiyyah Abdul-Jalaal: 2 points, 1 rebound
Hope Gray: 1 point
Brooks Buyck: 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Emma Jones: 1 rebound, 1 block
Maggie Moore: 1 rebound
Lexi Weger: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 assist
Bea Huffines: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist
Kaylin Shepherd: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Sophie Singletary: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist
Hadiyyah Abdul-Jalaal: 2 points, 1 rebound
Hope Gray: 1 point
Brooks Buyck: 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Emma Jones: 1 rebound, 1 block
Maggie Moore: 1 rebound
