BC Girls Tournament

On February 5th fended off the Raiders 59-56, to avenge their loss to Ramapo on December 23rd 52-48.   Ramapo and Holy Angels last met in the tournament back in 2007 in the Championship Game with Holy Angels coming away with a 39-33 victory.   IHA head coach Steve Silver was the Ramapo coach then.

Last Meeting(s)

Holy Angels:  It would be easy to say to keep Halejian (5-7, 17 ppg) from scoring would be the single key to the game, but it isn’t.  When Halejian was injured earlier in the season, the Ramapo didn’t miss a beat and went undefeated during that stretch.  They need to not only stop her but also everyone else otherwise it will be a long day for Angels.

 

Offensively Holy Angels is being led in the tournament by the Nicole Pepe (16 ppg), Jillian Crawford (15 ppg), Jaclyn Jerkovich (14 ppg), and freshman Melanie Lockett (11 ppg).   Pepe has also knocked down 6 three-pointers in the tourney. Holy Angels is averaging 67 point per game.  They have been outscoring their opponents by an average score of 67-50.

 

Ramapo:  They need to play the same ferocious defense that allowed the Green Raiders to hold Pascack Valley on the perimeter in the semi-finals.  They outscored the Indians 37-17 through 3 periods keeping Terry Ely out of the scoring column until the second half.

 

The quartet of Juniors Sara Halejian(19 ppg), Sam Klie (6 ppg), Deanna Devonshuk (7ppg) and senior Emma Geigerich (6 ppg) and have been leading the Ramapo scoring attack throughout the tournament and need to continue to do so. The Green Raiders as a team are averaging 50 points per game, so we may have a high scoring affair.  They have been outscoring their opponents by an average score of 50-30

 

Other factors:  Similar to last year, both teams have good bench support, and unless someone gets into early foul trouble or fouls out, I don’t see this being a game breaker.

 

Bottom Line:  If Ramapo plays defense like it did against Pascack Valley, and keeps Holy Angels on the perimeter, it may or may not be a long day for the Angels who have a good three point scoring threat.   On the season Jackie Jerkovich is shooting 42% from the 3 point line, making 39 on the season, including 5 in the tournament, while  Melanie Lockett is shooting 56% from the three point line with 10 on the season and 3 in the tournament.

 

Keep in mind that Holy Angels can also play defense when they need to, especially Junior Kasheema Besley had an outstanding defensive game against Teaneck.    If both teams are on their mark defensively, this could be a low scoring and a very close game. 

 

The last time the two teams met in a championship game was 2007 with Holy Angels coming away with a 6 point win.  That was a different time, different team and won’t have much say in this game except that both teams are battle tested in championship play and bragging rights.

 

The teams split the two NBIL Division 1 meetings during the regular season in close games with Holy Angels losing 52-48 on December 23rd and then picking up a win on February 5th 59-56.

 

This is the championship game and experience could play a role here.  Ramapo is making their 4th final appearance in the last 5 years and most of these kids have been playing together since middle school, while Holy Angels is making their first appearance since 2007 with a completely different cast of characters.   Emotions and nerves almost always play a part here and who handles them the best may have the edge…. 

 

So who wins?  Your guess is as good as mine.  I am just the announcer.  Take everything you just read and throw it out the window..

 

Grab some popcorn sit back and enjoy what I think could be the most exciting final, and it will be tough to top last years, in tournament history. 

 

See you on Saturday….

 

Keys to the game