Coach Neil Berkman earned his first WCAC win with a gutsy, never-say-die effort from the Cardinals at Archbishop Carroll (11-10, 4-8) Friday night 48-44. After falling behind 19-5 early in the game, Berkman turned to the bench for some spark.
“What won this game was the ‘blue team’; Hargett, Walters, Jobin, Gutman, and Levy” praised the coach, “because they went in the second quarter and gave us a lift, energy, and a huge spark off the bench.” With that spark the Cardinals closed the gap to 30-20 at halftime. The second half belonged to the Cardinals (6-12, 1-9).
“Antonio Rouse had 4 steals, a pair of three-point goals, and 13 points, making key plays in the final quarter. Patrick (Hanafin) played his normal efficient game, with a 7 of 11 from the field and 7 rebounds. Marcus Hayes added 13 points and made a key steal on a Carroll offensive rebound that sealed it for us late in the fourth.” continued Berkman. “Marvin Elliott played a great game with 5 points, 3 assists, and no turnovers, which is huge. We got toughness from Tommy Gallinaro and Matt Barnwell which was evidenced by the rebounding.”
It was the Cardinals first WCAC win of the year, a game the Ireton skipper thinks can springboard the ballclub to more success. “If you look at the improvement throughout the season, this should not be a surprise. We lost big to DeMatha in December, then had them within 4 in the fourth quarter in January. We have had Gonzaga, O’Connell, right there late. I am glad that our team got the win because they have done what we have asked to improve every time out, this reinforces that message.” explained the first-year Cardinal mentor.
The win on the road reverses a 12-point setback in Alexandria on New Year’s weekend. Ireton held Carroll’s Kenny Cherry to only 7 points in the contest with Weaver leading the Lion’s with 13 on the evening. Ireton shot a respectable 13 for 19 from the charity stripe while allowing the home squad only 11 opportuities from the free throw line, where they converted 8.
Ireton travels to Eye Street in Washington for a Sunday matinee with Gonzaga before returning home for the first of two meetings with Good Counsel’s Falcons. Cards tip off, weather depending, at 3:15pm at Gonzaga and plan a 7:30pm start with the Falcons on Tuesday. Fans can check the Bishop Ireton website for Gonzaga game status on Sunday morning.
TOTALS:
BI — Hanafin 15, Hayes 13, Rouse 13, Elliott 5, Gallinaro 2, Totals 16 13-19 48
AC — Weaver 12, Osse 9, Cherry 7, Alston 6, Koffi 4, Cumberlander 3, George 3, Totals 16 8-11 44
Halftime 30-20 Archbishop Carroll
Three-point goals: BI 3 (Rouse 2, Elliott) AC 4 (Osse, Cherry, Cumberlander, George)
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