Ursuline Upends Smyrna, 70 - 56
Doogan & Laney Score 30 Each
by Tom Dunn & Jim Charles
January 28, 2009
Betnijah Laney drives past UA defenders Gab Perrotti (#2) and Mary Kate Williams (#12) enroute to a meeting with Kelsey Miller (#14)
Wilmington area girls hoops fans were given a rare treat Tuesday night as the Ursuline Raiders played host to the downstate Smyrna Eagles. The "treat" coming in the form of getting a chance to see Betnijah Laney lace 'em up for the visiting Eagles. Earlier this season, Laney set a new single-game scoring record with 52 points. What makes her achievement all the more impressive is that she is only a sophomore. She still has 2 1/3 more seasons left to break her own record, and she'll probably do that several times over. Aside from individual performance concerns, this was, for both teams, an important game against quality competition.
Both teams found the basket early and often. The game would develop into one dominated on the offensive end. Laney did not disappoint, scoring 30 points and going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. She works the inside like so few girls in the state can. A true low-post forward or center. But the Ursulinians had an answer for Betnijah in the person of senior Kelley Doogan. Stealing some of Laney's thunder, Doogan also came away with 30 -- establishing a single-game personal best for the St. Francis-bound upperclassman.
UA Head Coach, John Noonan, deserves props for game preparation -- his Raiders were ready -- but also for a very good in-game lineup decision. As the game progressed, it wasn't very long before it was clear that Gab Perrotti was having trouble hitting her shots. And in a high octane contest such as this one, her team would need all the points it could muster. So, instead of hanging Gab out to dry, Noonan looked to the depth of his bench and came up with utility guard Audra Cranston. She would return her coach's faith in her by nailing 3 three-pointers on her way to a 12-point night -- second on the team only to Doogan. What a clutch performance cold off the bench!
Kelsey Miller was also most impressive, but more for her all-around energy and smarts. Not to be overlooked were the 11 points she contributed to the Raider cause, but on this night, her defense was crucial and it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
On the Smyrna side of the ledger, guard, Jackie Jenkins (13 points) was a real force. It was the combined opinion of DGB.com's crew in attendance that if UA went down, it would be due in no small part to what a great job Jenkins was doing. Had she hit another shot or two, UA would've been forced to allocate resources to contain her, which would've opened things up more for Laney. In any event, this soph is now on our radar screen -- and she should be on yours, too.
The game, close -- and featuring see-saw, back-and-forth lead changes -- would show a score of 42 - 42 going into the 4th and final frame. In the final 8 minutes, UA would outscore Smyrna by a two-to-one margin (28 - 14), and prevail 70 - 56. Was Smyrna too pooped to pop at the end? Was travel fatigue a factor? Guess we'll never know. Still, the teams were more closely matched than the final tally would indicate.
Game Pics
Betnijah Laney in full game face. Audra Cranston interposes between Laney and the hoop.
No one deserved a personal best night more than Kelley Doogan. Doogan seems to be growing into her role on the team as the principal on-court leader, the first such for UA since the Delle Donne Era ended.
Throughout the night, Coach Noonan threw out several Raiders to guard Betnijah Laney. On this particular occasion, Meghan Carter drew the assignment.
Doogan & Laney combined for 60 points on the night!
A side trip to referee/umpire school! In this shot we see all three girls practicing their officiating signals right in the middle of a game! Kelley Doogan signals "touchdown", while Betnijah Laney says that the free-throw shooter will be shooting one shot. And Meghan Carter signals that the runner was "safe" at home.
Kelley after receiving her iPOW shirt.