(LEFT) The Guerin Catholic girls basketball team honored its lone senior Dana Dues before the Golden Eagles’ 49-30 win over University on Tuesday. (RIGHT) University’s Leah Norvell scored 11 points for the Trailblazers. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The Guerin Catholic girls celebrated Senior Night on Tuesday with a 49-30 win over University in an all-county game at The Nest.
It was a significant win for the Golden Eagles, as they broke a seven-game losing streak against the Trailblazers. Guerin Catholic was ready to play from the opening tip: Cecilia Titus scored four points on two baskets during the first 30 seconds.
“This is just typically the way we play,” said GC coach Danielle Cardinal. “We like to press and get after it and play super aggressive.”
The Golden Eagles kept the pressure on during the first quarter to take a 15-4 lead. Titus scored six points in the quarter, while Lorigrace Rockwood made a 3-pointer.
University made a comeback in the second period, outscoring Guerin Catholic 9-2 to cut the Golden Eagles’ lead to 17-13 by halftime. Leah Norvell scored five points in that quarter.
“That second quarter was not amazing, but [we] made up for it with all the effort in the other three,” said Cardinal.
The third quarter was the closest one. Caroline Ford started with two quick baskets for Guerin Catholic, which pushed the Golden Eagles ahead 21-13. Ella Horvath added five points, then Ford made a layin to push GC ahead 33-21.
The Blazers finished the quarter with a 7-0 run, staying within 33-28 going into the fourth period. Sydney Culp began the spurt with an and-1, then Norvell made two layins.
Trailblazers coach Lindsey Syrek credited her squad with not giving up, crediting it to the fact that “we are very mature as a team.”
“It helps that we have five seniors on this squad,” said Syrek. “They do not give up.”
But the fourth quarter belonged to the Golden Eagles, as they outscored University 16-2. Emersyn French helped out with five points. Dana Dues, the lone senior on Guerin Catholic’s team, also scored during that quarter.
“She’s always been kind of a quiet leader, but she’s always been a great leader. She just has this calming presence,” said Cardinal. “Her goal is to make other people better. At the end of the game, we’re trying to get her to shoot the ball and she was like, ‘No, I hadn’t shot the ball well, so it wasn’t the right decision for the team.’ And that’s the kind of person and kid and leader she is. It’s going to be sorely missed when she’s done playing for us.”
Horvath and Ford both finished with 11 points for the Golden Eagles, while Rockwood and French each scored six points.
Norvell’s 11 points led University, while Gabby Culp scored nine. Sydney Culp added six points and Nyla Blanding scored four.
“We knew that they had that press coming,” said Blazers coach Lindsey Syrek. “We tried to prepare for it, and hopefully next time we see one like it, we’ll learn from this one and react a little better.”
Guerin Catholic is 12-7 and plays Friday at Beech Grove. University is 8-9 and hosts Shortridge Friday in the Pioneer Conference championship game.
