Cardinal girls open hoops campaign with big win

Senior Alex Stipano, who joined the 500 career point club last season, started the 2014-15 campaign with a game-high 20 point performance.

The Coach Jason Harris era began in a rousing fashion Monday as the girls’ basketball team dominated St John Paul the Great, 80-15 in Godley Gym on CYO Night.

For the Cardinals (1-0) they struggled in the game’s opening moments, then blasted out to a 19-0 lead, enroute to a 21-1 first period advantage. The team saw nine different players score, three in double figures.

“I was very pleased with the way the girls came out to play.” said the Ireton skipper. “They were excited for the start of a new season and it showed in their play.”

Senior Alex Stipano led the Cardinals in scoring with 20 points, nearly all in the first half, while junior Shannon Corridon added 10, as did sophomore Sarah Innis. Freshman Shaelyn Dowd chipped in 9 while senior CeCe Leone had 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Point guard Danielle Hatchett had 5 points and three assists for the evening while junior Maggie Lohrer contributed 8 points and three steals. Guard Paige Russell was a leader on both ends of the floor, pitching in 4 points and 5 assists on the offensive end while garnering 5 steals on the defensive side of the court. The Wolves’ Katie Grandinetti led the visitors’ scoring with 5 points in the setback.

Bishop Ireton travels to Middleburg Academy on Thursday for a 5:30pm tip off before tangling with Liberty Christian Academy on Friday afternoon at 3pm in the opening round of the Flint Hill Tip Off Tournament in Oakton. The championships and consolation rounds will be played Saturday.

Ireton’s junior varsity squad opened their 2014-15 campaign in grand fashion as well, winning 45-15 in the 5pm contest. The freshmen will start their season Tuesday at 6:30pm when they host St Stephens/St Agnes junior varsity at Father Godley Gym. There is no admission fee for the freshmen only event.