St. Edward hangs on to down IC
Enza Ranallo knew exactly who was going to take Immaculate Conception’s final few shots.
Allie DiVito had burned the Green wave for 5 3-pointers already, so as St. Edward clung to a 46-41 lead late in Friday’s Suburban Christian Conference Blue contest, all eyes were on DiVito.
As was Ranallo, who did not allow the Knights’ guard to get a good look from 3-point range in the closing minute, with St. Edward holding on for a 48-45 victory on Senior Night.
“DiVito was killing us with those 3s,” said Ranallo, who along with Vanessa Velasquez were honored as the only Green Wave seniors. “Coach told me not to leave her and make sure she didn’t get the ball.”
DiVito, who led all players with 17 points, got the ball at the top of the key with 24 seconds left and St. Edward leading 46-41. Unable to get a shot off, DiVito drove the lane and got a layup to bring IC (14-13, 2-7) within 46-43 with 24 seconds left.
“I’d rather let her have that than take a 3,” Ranallo said.
DiVito had another opportunity after Callie Johnson (13 points) split her free throws with 22 seconds left. The Knights came off a time out with the clear intention to get DiVito a clean look at a 3-pointer. Although she shook off Ranallo (12 points), Madeline Kerr switched up and forced DiVito into a shot 10 feet behind the 3-point line. The shot came up just short bouncing off the front of the rim and into the hands of St. Edward center Alex Lee (8 points, 8 rebounds).
“We were trying to fight through (the play), but I told them to switch if we had to,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson, whose team hosts a Class 2A regional next week. “Maddie played great heads-up defense.”
IC was able to stay close with St. Edward (18-7, 7-3) for the majority of the game. The Knights scored 9 points off 8 Green Wave turnovers in the first half. Jennifer Clementi (5 points, 2 steals, 1 block) opened the second quarter with a pair of steals which the Knights quickly turned into buckets to cut a 16-11 St. Edward lead to 16-15. DiVito then jacked a 3-pointer to put IC up 18-16 as the Knights outscored St. Edward 9-5 in the second quarter. IC forced 15 turnovers in the game leading to 17 points.
“The defense put us in a position to win the game,” Knights’ coach Aubree Lawrence said. “We played great help-side defense. Michelle Karges and Jennifer Clementi did a great job rotating on the post and the guards did a good job containing.”
St. Edward, which secured second place in the SCC Blue with the win, opened the third quarter with 3-straight baskets, all off assists from Kerr (6 points, 4 assists).