For The Dialog
As the new year kicks off, here’s a look at the Catholic school girls basketball teams, particularly those that participated in the recent Diamond State Classic at St. Elizabeth High School. The tournament attracted teams from throughout Delaware and from as far away as Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Oregon City, Ore.
Padua: The Pandas, part of the Delaware Cup, lost two games during the classic but showed an ability to fight back that will serve them well as the regular season resumes. Their first game was a 50-47 defeat at the hands of Damascus (Md.) High School in which Padua trailed by 10 early in the first quarter but rallied to make it interesting. Senior guard Rachel Liskiewicz scored 17 in that game. The Pandas, ranked ninth in the latest News Journal top 10, fell to No. 4 Caravel, 55-44, two days later. They are 2-4 and are scheduled to host No. 1 St. Elizabeth on Friday night (weather permitting).
St. Mark’s: St. Mark’s is 4-3 after splitting two games at the tournament. The Spartans defeated John Carroll High School of Maryland, 32-26, on Saturday, then dropped a 39-32 decision to fifth-ranked Concord in the Delaware Cup final. Claire Igo scored 19 vs. Carroll. The Spartans are not back in action until Jan. 9 at 7:15 p.m. at Padua.
Ursuline: The second-ranked Raiders finished 1-2 in the main draw of the tournament, the St. Francis Healthcare Cup, which features the best competition. Junior guard Adriana Hahn scored 21 points in a 64-48 loss on Friday to Oregon City, with sophomore Kailyn Kampert adding 13. Hahn erupted for 29 against Wilson High School (Pa.) on Saturday, including 10 in the final quarter, in a 65-55 win, but she and the Raiders were overmatched vs. Coeur d’Alene. The Raiders are 4-3 entering Monday night’s showdown with St. Elizabeth at Ursuline. Tipoff is at 7:15 p.m.
St. Elizabeth: The Vikings went 2-1 in the tournament, making it to the championship game of the St. Francis Healthcare Cup. Their wins came against Central Dauphin (Pa.) on Friday, during which senior forward Macy Robinson scored 23 points, including her 1000th career point on a three-point shot in the second quarter. The Vikings also received 15 points each from Gabby Julian and Alana Speaks. Sabrina Hackendorn led the team to a 58-47 win over Hoover High School (Ohio). St. Elizabeth fell in the championship game Monday to McDonogh School of Maryland.
St. Thomas More: The Ravens were part of the New Castle Insurance Cup bracket. They fought valiantly against Delaware Military Academy on Friday before dropping a 44-38 decision; Alexa Schimp scored 18 for St. Thomas More in that one. The Ravens fell to Caesar Rodney the next day. St. Thomas More had just six players available during the tournament. The Ravens (2-4) visit Wilmington Christian School on Monday at 3:30 p.m.
