York Catholic overcomes big night from Delone sophomore
Kate Bauhof struggled to hit from the field all night long, but the York Catholic junior still managed to pocket 23 points to lead the Irish to a 47-46 come-from-behind victory against Delone Catholic on Friday night in McSherrystown.
The win clinches at least a share of YAIAA Division III for the Fighting Irish, who hold a two-game lead over the Squirettes. Each team has two division contests left.
Bauhof hit 7-of-25 from the field, but she shot 9-of-11 from the foul line to help the Irish rally from a four-point deficit with four minutes to play.
"We reminded Kate at halftime to go to the basket and try to get fouled when her shot wasn't falling," York Catholic coach Kevin Bankos said. "She did a good job of staying aggressive and driving in the second half."
Trailing 43-39, Bauhof sank a pair of free throws with 3:30 to play, and Abby Pilkey evened things with a hoop at the 2:50 mark. Then Bauhof's bucket with 1:28 to go put her side in front to stay.
Bauhof shot 3-of-15 in the first half and made one free throw, but she netted nine of her points in the final stanza, including making all four of her free-throw attempts.
Fouls were a definite point of contention during and after game for Delone coach Gerry Eckenrode. His team was whistled for 12 fouls after halftime, while the Irish were called for four.
"I thought we got the ball inside a lot and that we didn't get some fouls that I felt should've been called," he said.
Sophomore Bradi Zumbrum proved a tough assignment for each Irish defender that took a crack at her in the first half. Zumbrum scored 13 points before the break to lead Delone to a 24-19 halftime advantage.
York Catholic (14-4, 10-0) switched up its defense on her in the second half. The Irish double-teamed her on the low block, often when she didn't even have the ball, in an attempt to keep the ball away from her.
"We tried to double her, in front and behind and we hoped that their shooters would miss," Bankos said. "We weren't stopping her with one defender, so we had to give up something."
Zumbrum finished the night with 19 points and eight boards. Eckenrode praised her effort.
"Bradi has been playing well for us," he said. "She's a horse inside and she'll only get better."
Delone (14-5, 8-2) held a 38-36 edge on the glass, but turned the ball over 21 times. York Catholic committed just nine turnovers.