Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights High School was held to 23 points by host Bishop Kenny, which made 17 three-pointers and defeated the Indians 81-23 in a Region 1-4A girls basketball quarterfinal game on Feb. 10.
It’s not the way any team wants to end its season, but Keystone Head Coach Jessica Carter said at least her team was in the playoffs and had the chance to play against a Crusaders team that was the state runner-up in 2019 and 2020 and a state semifinalist last season.
Bishop Kenny, which improved to 23-4, is ranked third in the state and entered the game with an average margin of victory of 28 points.
“Our girls knew it was going to be really tough. They’re a tough team,” Carter said. “We did what we could. We got to play one more game. My seniors got to play one more game.”
Kiley Channell drove to the basket for an early score in the first quarter that left the Indians (19-6) trailing by three, but Bishop Kenny responded with a 10-1 run. That included two three-pointers by the Crusaders’ Maddie Millar.
Bishop Kenny later put together a 9-0 run before Keystone scored the final four points of the first quarter. Channell knocked down a short jumper, while Dezaray Bright, following a steal by Channell, made two free throws.
Still, the Indians entered the second quarter trailing 24-9.
Bishop Kenny scored eight of the first 10 points of the second quarter, with Alex Lucey and Sophia Ruepell each making a three-pointer.
Lucey and Ruepell each added another three-pointer late in the quarter as the Crusaders built a 49-16 lead.
Keystone failed to score a point in the third quarter, turning the ball over four times and going 0 for 5 from the field. The lone highlight was Channell blocking a shot as the Crusaders attempted to score on a fast-break opportunity.
Bishop Kenny made six field goals in the third quarter — all but one coming from beyond the arc. Three of those long-range shots came from Ruepell, who finished the game with six three-pointers. Lucey and Millar finished with three three-pointers each.
“They’ve got three shotting machines,” Carter said.
Channell led Keystone with 10 points, while Bright had nine. Madi Mitzel and Rachel Roth each added two points.
It wasn’t a good night for the Indians, but they played hard until the end, which Carter said characterized this year’s team. She said the players treated each other as family and never bickered with each other when things were going bad.
“This season is the best season we’ve had in a long time,” Carter said. “Not just because we were 19-6. It’s not even because of that. My girls don’t fight each other. Even when we’re down, even when we know there’s no coming back, they still don’t go against each other.”
Carter praised the support her team received this year. On the day of the Bishop Kenny game, she received numerous Facebook and text messages from people wishing the team good luck and asking Carter to tell her players, “Good job.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Carter could also look in the stands at Bishop Kenny and see what support the Indians had.
“We had as many fans as they did, and we’re playing in their house,” Carter said. “That tells you something about Keystone.”
