Senior Bianca Ojiegbe has anchored an Ireton defense that has lifted the Cardinals to #6 in latest VISAA polls.
All season long, Coach Derek Campbell’s team worked tirelessly to find a way to get the most of their potential. After they put it together in January will a home win over rival Bishop O’Connell 59-50, the Cardinals have found intensity and performance narrowing the gap with the WCAC’s best programs. In Campbell’s biggest win in his two-year tenure at Ireton, the redbirds erupted for 29 4th quarter points to down 7th seeded Bishop McNamara 49-41 in Forestville.
“We believed in ourselves and we made free throws.” said senior Laura Hart, who scored 12 for Ireton. Junior Mara Celis led the team with 13 on the night. It was a struggle for both teams for three quarters, the Mustangs had but 5 points after one period and led 23-20 after three periods of play. But, whatever happened to the Cardinals, it happened in the final quarter. Ireton made 13 of 15 free throws in the final stanza and became the aggressor at the game’s end.
Campbell credited the attitude and the strong play of senior Bianca Ojiegbe for the win, one that wasn’t as big a surprise to many close to the program as it was the general public. “I had more than one person around the league suggest that we were right there, ready to surprise someone,” said Ireton AD Bill Simmons. “It was a great win for the team. I hope there are more games for these this season!”
Business at hand is #2 St Johns at 3:30pm at Gonzaga on Saturday. Admission is $5, no passes are honored for tournament action.
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