Holy Cross girls basketball is headed to Mohegan Sun Arena next weekend for the Class L state final. (Sports on CT-69 file photo) |
WOW!
That’s all you can say about what the top-seeded Holy Cross girls basketball team did Saturday inside Sheehan High School in Wallingford in a Class L state semifinal against fourth-seeded Capital Prep.
Aiyana Ward converted a short shot in the lane with 6.5 seconds left for a 56-55 Crusader lead. A Trailblazer shot from half court hit off the rim, and the impossible became possible.
Holy Cross has slain the Connecticut high school girls basketball dragon that is Capital Prep. The Trailblazers had won four straight state championships and hadn’t lost a game in the state since the Class S final against Coginchaug in 2012.
That streak is over, and the little engine that could known as the Crusaders is the reason why. Isabel Plant made the entry pass from the side, which somehow found its way into the hands of Ward. Ward’s shot bounced several times on the rim before dropping through the net. Here’s video of the shot from Felix Rodriguez.
It was 53-49 Prep until Century McCartney — yes, the same player who missed the entire regular season recovering from knee surgery — sank a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 53-52. WOW.
Holy Cross was able to rally from an eight-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. Holy Cross was able to take the lead on Capital Prep. And Holy Cross was able to slay the dragon. Unbelievable win, and the dream season continues with a trip to the Class L state final next weekend at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Holy Cross will play No. 2 Daniel Hand on either Saturday or Sunday, which is still to be determined.