The beast that is Bishop Miege takes down Wellington girls at state again
Kami Reichenberger defending the Miege player.
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The beast that is Bishop Miege knocked out the Wellington girls for the second consecutive year at the Class 4A State Basketball Tournament at the Tony Pizza Center. Miege defeated Wellington 71-40 in the first round. The Crusaders finish the year at 21-2.
“My thoughts? My thoughts are for those seniors that are leaving. They mean so much to the program,” said Eric Adams, Wellington head girls’ basketball coach. “As for the game, we probably saw the best shooting team in Class 4A.”
As for that private vs. public school elephant in the room, Adams responded: “No comment. I’ll save that for private conversations.”
Adams most certainly could have whined and few would have condemned him for doing so. But he diplomatic staved off the question of the unfairness of a 5A-type private school battling a 4A school – especially one which has won the last three state championships and seven of their last eight. The Crusaders had just lost to one opponent all season and that was to a red-hot Andale team on Senior Night.
The Lady Dukes pretty much mercy-ruled half of the schedule. But it would lose to 31 points in the first round Thursday afternoon to a school that didn’t even bring its cheerleaders. For Wellington players and fans, it hardly seems fair.
The Wellington student body getting rowdy.
This Miege team may have not been as talented as the one that beat Wellington by 40 points a year ago. But it was most certainly deft at the 3-point line – getting nine of them today on 21 attempts. It also had a tenacious defense Wellington hasn’t seen all year. The Crusaders committed a season-high 19 turnovers. Wellington couldn’t find that magic shooting touch it had Saturday night either in the sub-state championship. Wellington would g 3-of-16 from beyond the arch and 16-of-49 for the game.
Wellington had flashes of brilliance in this game but never could sustain any momentum for any length of time. Miege wouldn’t let the Crusaders’ implement their bread-and-butter: transitional points off of their full-court pressure.
Kylan Gregory vs. Miege.
Miege led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter and was holding a 34-20 lead at the half. The best moment for Wellington in this game came early in the third when the Lady Dukes were controlling the floor. They had pulled within eight and this game would have been much closer if it weren’t for a couple of missed banked shots inside.
“We came into the second half looking to plant our hands in their face at the 3-point line,” Adams said. “But then they were making even those. There really isn’t anything you can do with contested 3-pointers.”
By the fourth, Wellington was spent. The Stags would outscore the Crusaders 22-7. Seniors Ashlyn Gerten fouled out. Kami Reichenberger then Madi Nance were pulled.
Interestingly, the Wellington girls never had a game that wasn’t in double figures this season – an anomaly to be sure. They either won big or lost big.
Valerie Norwood v Bishop Miege.
Here’s the thing. Little should change next year. Wellington is bringing the bulk of their players back – and none of them will be seniors. Wellington should be dominant again.
But how it can unlock the puzzle that is Bishop Miege, will be life’s biggest mysteries.
Oh, and don’t depend on the Kansas State Legislature. The classification modifier bill would bump up private schools’ enrollment. It died in committee this legislative session.
Full stats can be found here: Bishop Miege Girls vs. Wellington
