By Karrington Kincaid
As the girls basketball season winds down, each game matters even more for playoff seedings and late-season growth. That urgency was on full display when the Eastside Catholic Crusaders traveled to take on the Bishop Blanchet Bears in a late-season Metro League matchup. Eastside Catholic entered the contest at 11-6 and riding a two-game winning streak, while Bishop Blanchet, 9-9 on the season, was coming off a big win over the Garfield Bulldogs.
The opening quarter was played cleanly by both teams, and the quick pace led to an efficient stretch of scoring. Bishop Blanchet’s Neko Joseph made her presence known early by hitting two three-point shots, and Brooke Campbell added a pair of strong finishes for the Bears. Talia Cermak also made an impact with a three-point shot and a two-point basket, helping Bishop Blanchet put together a 16-point quarter. Eastside Catholic responded with steady contributions from Amy Nduka, who scored seven points through free throws and finishes in the paint. Despite the balanced effort from both sides, it was the Bears who held a slight edge, leading 16-14 heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point in the game. Eastside Catholic came out with intensity and put together a dominant 27-point quarter, taking clear control of the game. Zaya Hooker and Raquel Dunnam combined for 12 points during the period, while Tavia Carter and Nduka each added multiple baskets of their own. The Crusaders’ defense set the tone early, as they created turnovers that turned into transition opportunities and open looks. Each time Bishop Blanchet tried to respond, Eastside Catholic countered with offensive balance and relentless pressure.
Led by Campbell, who scored seven points in the quarter, Bishop Blanchet did its best to keep pace. However, the Bears could not match the run by the Crusaders, who seemed to score in flurries. At the half, Eastside Catholic had taken a commanding 41-27 lead, fueled by that second-quarter surge and a string of defensive stands.
The third quarter continued in much the same way. Eastside Catholic remained strong on defense and added 14 total points to their total. Nduka stayed consistent by hitting a two-pointer and two free throws early in the period, and Hooker and Dunnam combined for eight more points throughout the quarter. On the other end, Bishop Blanchet struggled to find offensive rhythm, managing just seven points. Stella Na hit a three-point shot and a free throw, while Campbell and Francesca Marona added baskets inside. By the end of the third quarter, the Bears trailed 55-34, facing a large deficit with just one quarter to play.
With a 21-point gap to start the fourth, Bishop Blanchet showed signs of life and fought to crawl back into the game. Joseph opened the quarter by making two three-point shots to spark momentum, and Na followed with three two-point baskets that energized the Bears. Slowly but surely, Bishop Blanchet put together a 19-point quarter that kept pressure on the Crusaders and cut the lead to nine. The crowd grew loud as the Bears continued to battle, and each made shot brought them closer.
Despite the surge, Eastside Catholic had enough scoring down the stretch to maintain their lead. Cermak knocked down a key three-point shot, Carter made two strong baskets, and Nduka converted two free throws in the final minute to seal the game. Eastside Catholic held on for a 64-53 victory, overcoming the late charge from the Bears.
The second quarter scoring run was the difference in the game, as Eastside Catholic’s balanced attack created separation that Bishop Blanchet could not fully erase. Head coach Darnellia Russell emphasized the significance of her team’s mindset during key moments.
“We really practice honing in on those key moments where we know we have to turn up,” Russell said. “We can be down by a certain amount of points and our mindset stays the same. It’s the mentality that this team has that gets us locked in. When we eliminate mistakes and avoid crucial fouls, the sky is the limit for this team.”
With the win, Eastside Catholic improved to 12-6 overall, while Bishop Blanchet fell to 9-10. The Crusaders will travel to face the Lincoln Lynx on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m., aiming to continue their momentum. Bishop Blanchet returns home to host the Roosevelt Rough Riders on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m., looking to build off their late-game fight and snap a losing streak.
Photos/Chris Bennett
