Bishop Ireton won the last two VISAA Division I Tournament titles, but last year the Cardinals graduated an exceptional senior class that included multiple now-Division I players. So, despite still returning some capable young players and adding several others, there was some talk around the state that Ireton would be extremely hard-pressed to three-peat.
That talk turned out to be wishful thinking Saturday afternoon at Steward School in Richmond, as the Cardinals (25-8) defeated WCAC rival Paul VI 53-48 to claim the title.
“It’s always tough because we graduated seven last year,” said Ireton Coach Kesha Walton. “We’re basically a new team, no seniors, so we had to lay a foundation first. We had some adversity at first…just the way the team came together was just magical.”
Two years ago Ireton snapped Paul VI’s run of 16 straight VISAA Division I titles. The Panthers were eager to pay the Cardinals back, and certainly had their chances on Saturday. It was a back-and-forth affair between the teams the whole way–a one-point game at halftime and at the end of third quarter.
It was appropriate for such a young team like the Cardinals that a freshman, Nina McEldon, was a major factor down the stretch. McEldon, a post player, showcased her inside-outside offensive skills when her team needed her most. In the fourth quarter she hit a three-pointer, was fouled on another, and delivered a key offensive rebound and bucket.
She finished with a team-high 13 points on the afternoon, and added 10 rebounds and four assists.
“They [our players] came up clutch at the end,” Walton said. “For Nina to play like that when she’s just a freshman, like a veteran…[in] the end it just came together.”
The Ireton defense was generally good all game, forcing turnovers and sparking offense. Down the stretch it was exceptionally good, as Walton’s team clung to a 49-48 lead with under two minutes left. Notably, Ireton forced a PVI shot clock violation, and the Panthers didn’t score again.
“In the end it just came together and they [the team] believed in what we were trying to do,” Walton said. “Paul VI is a great team, definitely stellar on the three-point line. So we knew we had to defend that and defend Demi [Paul VI forward Demi Gilliam] and they did.”
The Cardinals in fact did a great job defending the Panthers on the perimeter, holding PVI to 2-15 shooting from beyond the arc, with no three-pointers made in the second half.
Gilliam had a nice game with 17 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Ireton’s balanced offense. Two Cardinals joined McEldon in double figures: juniors Geornae Davis and Aaliyah Harris. Both registered 12 points apiece and were instrumental in forcing turnovers.
Junior guard Londyn Ferguson added seven points, six rebounds, and four assists, and played physical defense on the perimeter. Sophomore McKenzi Jackson also had a good all-around game, with seven points and six assists.
Sophomore Alice Allen had 14 points for Paul VI (25-10), and she’ll be a focal point for the Panthers next year in their quest to reclaim the state title.
While there was valid reason to wonder if Bishop Ireton was the favorite to win a state title this preseason, there may not be next Fall. Walton’s team could conceivably return every player from this year’s roster, and even add some more talent.
“The sky’s the limit for us,” said a smiling Walton when asked about her team’s chances to four-peat. “We’re super happy about this three-peat and historical run for us. Nobody thought we would be here with what we lost. We lost 90% of our scoring from last year. That just says a lot and it’s scary.”
“Not for us, but for our opponents.”
–Chris Jollay