By BILLY HEYEN
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bishop Kearney led by two points in a game that, for the last decade, BK has won. About a minute remained, and Webster Schroeder had a chance to tie.
Kaia Goode had other ideas, though. She jumped a pass toward the top of the key and tipped it down the court with her right hand before chasing it down and finishing in transition. The next possession, Marianna Freeman added a steal and bucket of her own. The Lady Kings’ streak wouldn’t end Wednesday night.
“Kaia Goode was a hero in the fourth quarter,” Kearney head coach Kevan Sheppard said.
Steal by @KaiaGoode leads to a bucket, then @MariannaFreem12 copies it.
All of a sudden, 58-52 @BKHS_Sports the other 45.8 seconds left in this AA semi. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/KSDY7PJQph
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 10, 2021
Top-seeded Bishop Kearney advanced to the Section V Class AA title game with a 60-55 win over four-seed Webster Schroeder. BK was led by Freeman’s 24 points and eight steals, with Goode adding eight points and seven steals of her own. Together, the backcourt duo overcame the absence of forward Taylor Norris to lead a late comeback and stay alive.
The victory marks the 11th-straight season that Bishop Kearney’s girls basketball team will play in a sectional final. The Lady Kings have hoisted the block in each of the last three seasons, and they’ll face Penfield for a third consecutive year on Friday night, hosting the Patriots at Ed Nietopski Gymnasium on Bishop Kearney’s campus.
“It makes me feel old,” Sheppard said of the 11-straight final appearances. “That’s the goal every year, to get there. Now that we get there, the goal is to win it.”
From earlier: @BKHS_Sports coach Kevan Sheppard, when asked if Taylor Norris will be available in Friday's sectional final, said "That's the plan."
Norris has missed the last handful of BK games and didn't play tonight after warming up with her teammates. @PickinSplinters
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 11, 2021
When these teams met earlier in the season, Kearney came away with a straightforward 63-33 win. Sheppard knew Wednesday’s game wouldn’t be that easy.
The Warriors were coming off a massive comeback in the quarterfinal round to beat Mercy, and so an early deficit didn’t stop Schroeder’s hope. Freeman hit three quick 3-pointers and BK used pressure to get out in transition and hold a 20-11 lead after one.
“We go as our guards go,” Sheppard said. “Marianna was huge today. She’s been huge every game she’s played this season.”
Two 3s so far for @MariannaFreem12 and @BKHS_Sports leads 12-6. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/MDhx8tnLwI
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 10, 2021
Schroeder stormed back, though, with an Olivia Reschke 3 just before halftime tying the game at 30.
Olivia Reschke’s 3 with five seconds left in the half and @schroedergbball is tied 30-30 with @BKHS_Sports at halftime in the AA semis. @PickinSplinters @schroedersports
Freeman has 11 for BK. Mariah Watkins has 10 pts, 8 rebounds for Schroeder, Anya Watkins 9 pts, 11 boards. pic.twitter.com/OVpQ0bbx1I
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 10, 2021
A year ago, Bishop Kearney didn’t have any seniors on its roster, so Sheppard had a lesson to call on Wednesday night that he felt could help. BK trailed at the half of last season’s sectional final before coming back to beat Penfield. He reminded them that they’d been in this spot before and come out on top.
Schroeder wouldn’t make it easy, though. After Kearney scored the first five points of the third quarter, the Warriors went on a 13-4 run capped off by a Mariah Watkins and-1 as part of her 17-point, 12-rebound night.
“It’s all about how long a team continues to fight,” Sheppard said. “Today, Webster came and they fought the whole game, which forced us to do the same.”
Mariah Watkins and-1. 43-39 @SchroederGBball in the third. @PickinSplinters @SchroederSports
Up to 14 points for Mariah Watkins. pic.twitter.com/Qmr4nDuW12
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 10, 2021
As the game moved to the fourth and Schroeder maintained a lead as large as four points with five minutes left, Sheppard implored his group to relax and calm down.
All it took was one spurt. First, Freeman found Goode in transition for a right-handed finish to pull within 52-51. Then, Freeman took advantage of a BK offensive rebound to nail a left-corner 3-pointer and go up two with 2:30 to play.
“Very clutch,” Goode said of Freeman. “Her 3s, raining all of them, basically just gave us momentum.”
54-52 @bkhs_sports with 2:30 to play on the @MariannaFreem12 3. She’s got 20. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/Pv8HrISahO
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) March 10, 2021
From there, BK’s backcourt duo each turned one final steal into a bucket, and what felt for much of the second half like an upset turned into business as usual.
“At the end of the day, defense travels,” Sheppard said. “It’s going to be there every day.”
The Lady Kings are back in a sectional final, just like clockwork. They won’t get a chance at a state title this year, something their senior class has been chasing since they were freshmen, due to COVID-19 cancellation of the state tournament.
That means that, no matter what, Bishop Kearney’s final game of the season is Friday night. The Lady Kings have proven good at streaks, and they’re one win from a four-peat.
“I’m just so glad to be a part of this team,” Goode said, “and be able to create such an impact.”
Scoring totals
Bishop Kearney: Marianna Freeman (24), Amaia Jackson (11), Camille Wright (10), Kaia Goode (8), Aniya Rowe (5), Caydence Hadley (2)
Webster Schroeder: Mariah Watkins (17), Anya Watkins (13), Andraia DiPisa (9), Olivia Reschke (8), Julia Perales (6), Lill Northrup (2)
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