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The metaphorical clock struck midnight just a little too early for Dan Johnson and the ‘Lil Irish Saturday afternoon in Troy. Aquinas’ magical chariot came to a screeching halt Saturday afternoon in a battle at Troy against defending New York state Class B champion Irvington. After winning sectionals for the first-time since 1991 and back in the state finals for the first-time in 20 years, Johnson’s girls fell, 91-52, to the Section I champs, who also won the state’s Federation crown last winter.
“They were able to break down our press and make a lot of easy shots,” Aquinas’ Emily Brophy said. “They are obviously a great team. We made it this far, so it’s nothing to have our heads down about. We are very happy, but just wish we could have won one more game.”
Irvington (25-1) opened the state finals with a 10-0 lead before senior tri-captain Brophy hit a runner for Aquinas (22-4), getting the ‘Lil Irish on the board for the first-time midway through the opening stanza. The Bulldog's captured a 17-10 advantage after the first eight minutes.
Nothing improved for Aquinas, as Gina Maher’s bunch continued to swell their lead, stunning the ‘Lil Irish with a 47-23 halftime lead, making it a 30-point second quarter for Irvington.
“I couldn’t be happier for our girls,” Maher said. “We graduated three seniors and I know some questioned if we could get back to our success of last year. I think we answered that tonight. They (Aquinas) are a good team and should be proud.”
Alexis Martins, a 6-foot sophomore, had 15 points and 12 boards at halftime, Brittni Lai tallied 14 points, five steals and three assists, and 5-foot-10 junior Marley Giddins registered 13 points and seven rebounds after the first 16 minutes.
The Bulldogs, ahead by 24 at the games midpoint, augmented their lead to 67-37 after the third period. Then, ahead 85-46 with 3 minutes left in regulation, Irvington inserted their bench into the game.
“Our coach kept us believing at the beginning of the season that we could do this,” Lai said. “She worked us so hard in preseason and during the weeks, and it definitely has paid off.”
Lai exited with a game-high 28 points and five steals, and Martins logged 26 points and a game-high 18 boards -- second-most rebounds in a single-game in the ‘B’ state tourney.
“I think Lai is the best player that was out there tonight and that showed,” said Johnson. “For my team, I am really proud to be here with them. They did a tremendous job this season and there’s no reason to have our heads down. No matter what we did, they had an answer for and that’s the sign of a great team. We gave it all we could and that’s all I can ask.”
Aquinas' Nicole Bini finished with 14 points, and Brophy had 11. Also scoring for the 'Lil Irish was Caileen Sennett and Julia Crilly each with six, Dionna Johnson had five, and both Marchelle Dade and Sonia Mishra had two.
Bini and Brophy were named to the all-tournament team.
The metaphorical clock struck midnight just a little too early for Dan Johnson and the ‘Lil Irish Saturday afternoon in Troy. Aquinas’ magical chariot came to a screeching halt Saturday afternoon in a battle at Troy against defending New York state Class B champion Irvington. After winning sectionals for the first-time since 1991 and back in the state finals for the first-time in 20 years, Johnson’s girls fell, 91-52, to the Section I champs, who also won the state’s Federation crown last winter.
“They were able to break down our press and make a lot of easy shots,” Aquinas’ Emily Brophy said. “They are obviously a great team. We made it this far, so it’s nothing to have our heads down about. We are very happy, but just wish we could have won one more game.”
Irvington (25-1) opened the state finals with a 10-0 lead before senior tri-captain Brophy hit a runner for Aquinas (22-4), getting the ‘Lil Irish on the board for the first-time midway through the opening stanza. The Bulldog's captured a 17-10 advantage after the first eight minutes.
Nothing improved for Aquinas, as Gina Maher’s bunch continued to swell their lead, stunning the ‘Lil Irish with a 47-23 halftime lead, making it a 30-point second quarter for Irvington.
“I couldn’t be happier for our girls,” Maher said. “We graduated three seniors and I know some questioned if we could get back to our success of last year. I think we answered that tonight. They (Aquinas) are a good team and should be proud.”
Alexis Martins, a 6-foot sophomore, had 15 points and 12 boards at halftime, Brittni Lai tallied 14 points, five steals and three assists, and 5-foot-10 junior Marley Giddins registered 13 points and seven rebounds after the first 16 minutes.
The Bulldogs, ahead by 24 at the games midpoint, augmented their lead to 67-37 after the third period. Then, ahead 85-46 with 3 minutes left in regulation, Irvington inserted their bench into the game.
“Our coach kept us believing at the beginning of the season that we could do this,” Lai said. “She worked us so hard in preseason and during the weeks, and it definitely has paid off.”
Lai exited with a game-high 28 points and five steals, and Martins logged 26 points and a game-high 18 boards -- second-most rebounds in a single-game in the ‘B’ state tourney.
“I think Lai is the best player that was out there tonight and that showed,” said Johnson. “For my team, I am really proud to be here with them. They did a tremendous job this season and there’s no reason to have our heads down. No matter what we did, they had an answer for and that’s the sign of a great team. We gave it all we could and that’s all I can ask.”
Aquinas' Nicole Bini finished with 14 points, and Brophy had 11. Also scoring for the 'Lil Irish was Caileen Sennett and Julia Crilly each with six, Dionna Johnson had five, and both Marchelle Dade and Sonia Mishra had two.
Bini and Brophy were named to the all-tournament team.
