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http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/2sports/local/022402_cathgirls.html McNeel, Vercelli pace Catholic win By Ken Rogers TROY – Catholics versatility wasnt a luxury in the Girls 3A Southeast Regional final Saturday. It was mandatory. With inside power Nedra Thomas sidelined by foul trouble, Knights senior guard Cherry McNeel and freshman reserve Lauren Vercelli propelled Catholic past Weaver 47-42 and into this weeks state tournament in Birmingham. McNeel led Catholic (25-6) with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor. More importantly, she directed traffic in the Knights offense against Weavers strong three-guard attack. The difference in the game was Cherry McNeel, Catholic coach Matt Flora said. She handles the ball against pressure. She knows when to push it, when to force it and when to pull it back out. At times, she had to do each on Saturday. Weaver (23-7) jumped to a seven-point lead at 13-6, a run capped by a Latora Downie basket. But as has been the case in this regional, when Catholic needed something good to happen, Vercelli has provided it. She made two free throws and assisted on a fastbreak layup to McNeel to cut Weavers lead to 13-10. The Knights tied the game after one quarter at 13-all – shutting out the Bearcats over the last 4:37 of the quarter. Foul trouble hurt both teams early. Catholics Thomas picked up two fouls. Weavers Latora Downie had two fouls, while teammates Akela Downie and Bianca Allen picked up three fouls in the first quarter. When they got in foul trouble they couldnt press us anymore, Flora said. They were effective with the press early and we did a better job against their zone. Our guards attacked the basket very well in the second quarter. Thomas and Brany Tatum scored inside baskets to help the Knights take the lead early in the second quarter. Weavers Latora Downie, the Bearcats best post player, picked up her third and fourth fouls in the final 2:08 of the second quarter. She had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. From 17-all, Catholic scored the last six points of the half on a 3-pointer by McNeels, assisted by Vercelli, two Vercelli free throws and a McNeel foul shot. Catholic took a 23-17 halftime lead. We missed having Latora inside, Weaver coach Robbie Morrison said. But in the second half we turned up the defense on them. I think our zone worked well in the third quarter. With Latora Downie on the bench all quarter, Weaver cut into Catholics lead. The Bearcats made 5-of-12 shots in the third quarter and Catholic went cold, shooting 2-for-12. I think we tightened up a bit and stopped attacking their zone, Flora said. We started shooting jump shots. Weaver took its first lead since the first quarter on Bianca Allens layup. Again, the freshman Vercelli answered for Catholic. Her 3-pointer put the Knights ahead 28-27 going to the fourth quarter. For a 14-year-old, shes unconscious, Flora said. She just doesnt have any fear. Shes not afraid to make a pass or take a shot. Latora Downie fouled out just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter. Weavers answer was to free up guard Jessica Fair, who made three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the period. The last one cut Catholics lead to 37-36. Vercelli then made a nice pass to Tatum inside and she made the basket. Nedra Thomas, limited by four fouls to eight points and four rebounds in 16 minutes, then hit a big bucket at the 2:48 mark that gave Catholic a 41-38 lead. Vercelli assisted on another Tatum score, then had a chance to put the game away at the foul line. Vercelli – who finished with 10 points and nine rebounds – was fouled and Weavers bench was hit with a technical foul. That gave her four free throws with one minute remaining and Catholic leading by 5. She made only one. Thats OK, freshman, Flora said playfully after the game. Really, our guards are good enough at protecting the ball that I thought if we had kind of lead in the final two minutes wed win, the coach said. Vercelli, McNeel and senior guar April McGough proved him right in Troy. Because of that, Birminghams next. |
