Staff reporter
BEAR – Caravel Academy controlled the opening tip Thursday night against Ursuline, and the Buccaneers took an early 2-0 lead on a Micah Morgan basket. A close-to-capacity crowd, including a sizable contingent of Caravel students, roared its approval. But the top-ranked Raiders had other plans, scoring the next 10 points en route to a 67-45 win.
The winter storm cost Ursuline two days of practice, and senior guard Laura Hurff and sophomore forward Kailyn Kampert both said they could feel the effects of not being on the court this week. It was difficult to see that as the Raiders stormed up and down the court Thursday night.
“I think pushing the ball definitely worked for us. A lot of people were hitting shots early, and I think a lot of players that normally don’t step up stepped up,” Kampert said.
Following Caravel’s opening bucket, Ursuline junior guard Adrianna Hahn tied things up with a driving floater from about eight feet. Six players would score for Ursuline in that first period, with Kampert’s eight points leading the way, including two three-pointers. Ursuline was hitting from all over the court, while there seemed to be a lid on the basket for the No. 3 Buccaneers. By the time the first quarter ended, the Raiders owned a 24-11 lead.
“We definitely really needed to bring the intensity tonight and box out a lot. They have really good players,“ Kampert said.
Hurff said a key was capitalizing on the team’s speed. “We would have players running ahead, and we were just looking up for everybody else. We were moving the ball really well .”
The Raiders also took advantage of several Caravel turnovers as they built a 36-19 lead halfway through the second quarter. But the Bucs finally found their shooting touch. Junior forward Caroline Davis had the hot hand, drilling two three-pointers, and a free throw by junior guard Micah Morgan with no time left on the clock made the halftime score 36-25.
Among the spectators was University of Delaware coach Tina Martin, who was watching intently, and several members of the fourth-ranked St. Elizabeth Vikings.
Caravel held close through the third quarter, but Ursuline turned up the offense in the fourth. This time, seven players contributed as the Raiders won going away. The Raiders were afforded a glimpse at a key piece of their future, as eighth-grader Maggie Connolly scored seven of her nine points in the second half, including a three-pointer in the final stanza. Freshman Kryshell Gordy scored four points, but she blocked or altered several shots on defense, and she added a few assists.
Hahn led the way with 13 points, but it was a night for the Raiders to showcase their depth. Kampert finished with 12 points, while Hurff added a clutch 11, including two three-pointers. Sophomore Alyssa Irons continued to show she is a reliable outside threat, scoring nine points on three treys, and Connolly also had nine.
“We’re not selfish people. We really want everybody to score, and we just want to win the game. Nothing else really matters,” Hurff said.
The Raiders (9-3) remained unbeaten against in-state competition and will travel to the Academy of Notre Dame (Pa.) Sunday for an 11 a.m. start as part of the Blue Chip Classic.
The loss was the first this season for Caravel (7-3) against an in-state team. In defeat, Davis again showed that she is one of Delaware’s best players, leading all scorers with 15 points, including two three-point field goals. Ky’Asia Stanford added 11, while Morgan chipped in with eight. The Buccaneers visit St. Mark’s on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., then head to Hockessin on Tuesday for a 3:45 tip at No. 2 Sanford.
