URSULINE DEFENSE CLUTCHES UP CRUSADERS
By Ty Bartell
YOUNGSTOWN OH- In the tip-off to the girls high school basketball season, The Ursuline Fighting Irish opened up on the earliest possible day, with the November 22nd opener on Wednesday. Their opponent? Hosting in a very tough, admirably scheduled Canton Central Catholic Crusaders. The Irish were coming off a 15-9 season last year, while The Crusaders were 12-11 a season ago. It was a fun atmosphere between two talented programs looking to start the campaign 1-0!
The first quarter saw both teams testing the waters and gain comfortability as the opening minutes progressed. After one, The Crusaders managed a 7-4 lead, highlighted by a Grace Finefrock triple! By the second quarter, The Irish offense woke up, out scoring Canton Central Catholic 10-7, led by 5 points by Kennedy Carpenter in the quarter to help tie the ballgame up 14-14 heading into halftime!
The battle ensued out of the half, both teams exchanged scores out of the gates in an attempt to set the tone for their respective offenses. The Crusaders would end up a bucket better after three quarters, holding a 23-21 advantage heading into the final quarter of play. Ursuline would lock it up defensively down the stretch, holding Central Catholic to just 5 points in the fourth quarter to capture the 33-28 victory, off the backs of 6-for-6 free throw shooting in the quarter.
Lily Scott did a good job dishing the rock for Ursuline while also scoring 6 points. Meredith Gray made a couple big fourth quarter buckets to finish the night with 4 points. Kayla Grope would also finish with 4 points on the night, managing a bucket and a couple made free-throws. Leading the way for The Irish was Kennedy Carpenter, who finished with 16 points, going 7-for-10 at the free throw line! Her performance was impressive and earned her Player of the Game honors! The Crusaders were highlighted by a trio of scorers with Grace Finefrock
Leading the way with 9 points and both Alicia Varacky and Lily Belden right behind with 8 points each.
Ursuline (1-0) will now look ahead to The Ohio Tip-Off against Akron Archbishop Hoban (0-0) on Sunday, November 26th at Hiram College. For Canton Central Catholic (0-1) they will look to get in the win column when they host The Field Falcons (0-0) on Tuesday, November 28th.
