Normal Community girls secure third straight Intercity Tournament championship
BLOOMINGTON – The Normal Community High School girls basketball team didn’t wait for the Intercity Tournament championship to come to it Tuesday at Central Catholic’s Cvengros Gymnasium.
The Iron aggressively pursued it.
That approach yielded a 16-2 first-quarter lead that NCHS turned into a 79-35 victory over Normal West to complete a 4-0 tournament and secure the Iron’s third consecutive Intercity title.
“We came out with confidence,” said senior Olivia Corson. “We knew if we shared the ball we were all going to trust each other to make the right play. That really showed.”
In Tuesday’s second game, Bloomington downed University High 36-27.
Central Catholic finished second in the tournament at 3-1. BHS was 2-2, West 1-3 and U High 0-4.
NCHS-West
Corson, who will play at Division II McKendree, scored nine of her game-high 22 points in the first quarter as NCHS held a 25-5 advantage through eight minutes.
“We just won Intercity and that’s a great feeling. We’re super excited to make it three years in a row,” Corson said. “We know if we come out strong, it’s going to lead to a good season like it has the last two years.”
NCHS connected on 10 of 19 first-quarter shots and were shooting 56 percent while carrying a 48-15 advantage into halftime.
“Intercity means a lot to the kids. They know all these kids here in town,” said Iron coach Dave Feeney. “More importantly, it’s a great stepping stone to the season. We showed glimpses of the team we can be. I couldn’t be prouder.”
NCHS’ sticky defense forced West into 17 first-half turnovers and 25 overall.
“I thought all of our kids really competed, diving on the floor for loose balls,” Feeney said. “I thought we were really tough. It was good Ironmen basketball.”
The Wildcats outscored NCHS 18-16 in the third quarter and mustered 17 combined in the other three periods.
“We came out at halftime and wanted to not focus on the scoreboard at all,” said West coach Darrelynn Dunn. “We said our goal was to try to win the third quarter, if not win it compete in it. I felt like the girls gave their all and competed really hard.”
Gianna Rawlings added 12 points and Allie Rustemyer eight for the Iron, who finished at 51.8 percent from the field (29 of 56) and 43.5 percent from 3-point range (10 of 23).
“They are deep, long and athletic on the perimeter. On the average they start about 5-8 and keep getting longer,” Dunn said. “They’ve got experience. They know how to win now. I think they’re in midseason form. We’re under experienced. We’re working on it every single day.”
Meredith Bertsche led West with 11 points. Avery Dodge helped the Wildcats outrebound NCHS 32-28 with seven.
BHS-U High
BHS held a 17-14 halftime lead and maintained it throughout the final two quarters.
Two Lauren Shuey free throws with 2:51 to play gave the Purple Raiders a 32-23 cushion that held up.
“That (2-2) is an awesome start for us. We’re building, a slow progression,” BHS coach Mike Donnelly said. “Our offense was a little stagnant, but we locked in defensively. I thought we had a great defensive game. The girls are learning. I’m super proud of them.”
Crissiana Rose topped the Raiders with nine points. Christina Lenard and Sosi Dadekian chipped in seven each.
Kari Merriweather led all scorers with 13 for U High. Jaz Thomas added eight.
Historic matchup
When BHS faced West on Saturday, it was the first time in Intercity basketball history (boys or girls) that two African-American coaches (Dunn and Donnelly) matched up against each other, according to BHS historian Kev Varney.
“It means a lot. It means we’re moving forward,” Dunn said. “Knowing all the talent that has come through Bloomington-Normal, that there has never been two African-Americans going against each other as head coaches is kind of mind blowing.
"It was an amazing experience, a great feeling. Both of us are here for the long haul, so I think it’s going to be fun to play.”
Donnelly’s Raiders defeated West 52-29.
“For our community, I think it was a great look,” said Donnelly, in his first year as BHS coach. “For Darrelynn and I to be a part of it was awesome. For me personally, I’ve been a lifetime Bloomington-Normal guy. Anytime you can be part of history, it’s a great deal.”
Donnelly and Dunn have known each other for many years.
“We’ve been friends since the Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center,” Donnelly said. “Dodie (Dunson) was both of our mentors coming up.”
Photos:Normal Community vs. Normal West during 2023 Girls Intercity basketball tournament Photos:Bloomington vs University High during 2023 Girls Intercity basketball tournament Comments Love Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy .
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