Senior Sarah Baldwin’s game high 20 points kept the Cardinals close, but National Cathedral School’s quickness and defense upended Ireton 54-52 in a varsity contest in Alexandria Wednesday night. More than 40 turnovers plagued the redbirds who never seemed to get untracked and chased the purple-clan Eagles throughout the game.
NCS grabbed an early lead before Ireton’s Baldwin hit back-to-back three’s with 2:30 left in the first quarter to give the Cards their first lead at 11-8. The Eagles regrouped to regain the lead and the teams traded baskets until senior Alexis Thurmond hit a pair of free throws to tie the contest at 17. Freshman Camille Webber’s free throw put Ireton up 18-17 and Alex McCargo’s put back shot gave Ireton its biggest lead of the night at 20-17. NCS went on to score the final 4 points of the half and carried a 21-20 lead into the break.
The squads continued to battle in the tight game throughout the third quarter with NCS nursing a 40-37 advantage after three quarters. Sophomore Helena Barber would make a pair of free throws to get Ireton to 42-41 and after an Eagle layup, Baldwin drained a three to tie the game at 44-44. Webber hit a layup to give Ireton a 46-44 edge before NCS answered with a three to regain the lead.
The Cardinals muscled the offensive zone to get a put back bucket to give them their last lead at 50-49 but another three point jumper and a free throw late sealed the NCS win. Sydni Oliver had a putback basket with :14 left in the game, but a desparation 25 foot jumper by Alexis Thurmond hit the rim and bounced off to end the contest. NCS advances to 3-6 on the season while the Cardinals fall to 8-10 on the campaign. No rest for the Cards as they hit the road for a 7:30 tip-off with Holy Cross Thursday night and return home for a 3:15 tilt with Flint Hill School Saturday.
Ireton’s freshmen withstood the NCS JV girls last minute rally and missed layup to steal a 26-24 win the preliminary contest in Fr. Godley Gym.
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