Jacksonville FL- For the fourth consecutive year, Bishop Kenny (25-4) will return to the FHSAA Final 4 defeating Rutherford 62-50 in front of their home crowd Friday night. The #1 seeded Crusaders defeated Keystone Heights 81-23 in round one, South Walton 70-33 in the sweet 16, and then took care of #2 Rutherford (24-4) in the elite 8.
Bishop Kenny jumped out early and never looked back leading 11-3 after the first quarter. Senior guard Maddie Millar (16.9 ppg avg) scored almost at will for the Crusaders, knocking down shots from outside and transition. She led all scorers with 15-points in the first half has Bishop Kenny led 23-24 after one quarter.
In the second half Rutherford (24-4) went on a 12-6 run to close the game to 29-26 in the third quarter. Nautica Bouie led the Lady Rams this year averaging 16.9 points per game and she was instrumental in mounting the comeback.
However the four consecutive regional champion Crusaders weathered the third quarter storm and took a 40-32 lead into the fourth quarter. That lead would balloon to as much as fourteen at one point in the fourth as the Crusaders took control of the game. It’s been that type of year for Kenny. Young stars like sophomores Clare Coyle (7.3 Rebounds per game), Riley Talbert (2.0 steals per game) and Sydney Roundtree (1.6 blocks per game) make up a squad that plays team basketball, led by Millar.
Congratulations to head coach Will Mayer in his first year as Bishop Kenny’s head coach replacing long time coach Charlsea Clark. Mayer left Creekside boys basketball with a 99-46 record in five seasons, winning two district titles, while advancing to the Class 8A state championship game in 2018. Well he’s back, but this time in the juggernaut Girls Basketball 4A Classification. Back with new coach, and back for another shot at a state title. Kenny will face Calvary Christian Academy (22-6).
Images courtesy of Bishop Kenny Athletics
