SPRINGFIELD – The Bloom-Carroll girls’ basketball team knew they were facing a tall task Tuesday night against Cincinnati Purcell Marian in a Division II regional semifinal.
The Lady Cavaliers have won two consecutive state championships and have the reigning Ohio Ms. Basketball in Dee Alexander. Even though the Bulldogs competed as hard as they could, they were overmatched and overwhelmed by Purcell Marian’s full-court press.
Despite 11 points in the first quarter from senior guard Emily Bratton, the Cavaliers forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter to take control, and the Bulldogs had no answer in a 77-43 loss at Springfield High School.
The Bulldogs would finish with 18 turnovers in the first half and 25 for the game.
“That is an amazing team,” Bloom-Carroll coach A.J, Ireland said. “They have everything. They have guards that can handle it, they have guards that can drive to the basket and finish, they have size, they have length, they have speed, athleticism, post players that can rebound, they have shooters – that is just a complete basketball team. We had one day to prep for them, and it is just so tough to simulate that kind of pressure in practice.
“I am super proud of our girls. They competed the whole game. They were undersized and undermanned, but they never quit and never gave in. They battled the entire game, just like they did all season.”
Batton connected on three 3-pointers in the first quarter, but the Cavaliers were scoring at a fast pace, thanks to their defense, which made it tough for the Bulldogs to even get past halfcourt at times. The Cavaliers were able to take a 24-13 lead at the end of the first quarter and kept the pressure up in the second. It didn’t help that Bratton picked up her third foul with 5:12 left in the half and had to take a seat on the bench.
The Cavaliers took full advantage of her absence to take a 44-19 halftime lead.
“One of the things we talk about on a day-to-day basis is to do what we do,” Purcell Marian coach Jamar Mobley said. “Everyone knows that we are going to press. That is the staple of our defense, and I thought we did a great job on the defensive end, as far as dictating the pace of the game.”
More: Showed up and showed out: Emily Bratton shines in leading Bloom-Carroll to a district title
The Bulldogs finished with a 20-6 mark while the Cavaliers improved to 25-1.
Batton proved she belonged
It was a tough way for Bratton and her teammates to go out, but she certainly proved that she can play with the best of the best.
Despite the Cavaliers putting all their attention on her, she finished with a game-high 26 points, including five 3-pointers. She went 5-for-5 from the free throw line and had four rebounds.
Bratton knew the tall task she was facing, but she went in with confidence and made plays against bigger, faster, and stronger players.
“Honestly, I had to go into it confident, knowing I can compete with anyone if I put my mind to it,” Bratton said. “ I knew what I was going up against, but I am going to a Division I school just like most of the girls on their team, I had to be confident. That is the toughest team I have ever played against, and that includes going against great competition in AAU.”
Mosley was impressed with Bratton and her ability to make plays.
“We wanted to take her away, but she is just a phenomenal player, and we knew exactly what was going to happen when she stepped on the court,” Mosley said. “We knew she could shoot it from anywhere and she is such a crafty player. She is just a phenomenal basketball player. She is a true four-level scorer. She can get to the basket, she has a great mid-range jumper, she can shoot the three and she can get to the free throw line and convert there. A player like her, you can’t take everything away from her when she can hurt you from everywhere on the court.”
Bratton had a great tournament run, averaging 31.3 points per game in the postseason. She finishes her illustrious career with 1,745 points.
“Looking back, I’ve grown since my freshman year,” Bratton said. “I’ve gotten stronger and been able to take it to the basket more. My shooting percentage has improved, and honestly, it makes me happy with all that we have accomplished as a team and just how much we have progressed over the last four years. We won 20 games for the first time in school history, which was nice hearing that from coach (Ireland) in the locker room after this tough loss.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Despite Bratton’s 26 points, B-C is overwhelmed by Purcell Marian
