Blanche Ely girls edge Westminster Academy

POMPANO BEACH – The Blanche Ely Tigers did just enough over the final four minutes to secure a 50-49 victory over Westminster Academy, Wednesday evening. Out of a timeout with 21.9 seconds remaining, Markeli Jones-Tynes’ short jumper down the lane bounced off iron for the potential go-ahead score.

The Tigers held a lead for most of the night before two free-throws by Taelyn Carey tied the game at 43 with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. A combination of Blanche Ely turnovers and late-stage offensive attack by shooting guard Lena Girardi kept Westminster Academy in the game during the final moments. Girardi finished with a game-high 26 points, including 18 in the second half and 14 rebounds while the Tigers were led by Aniyah Ruddock’s 14 points on four 3-pointers.

“I thought we were pretty good with our assignments being disciplined,” said Blanche Ely head coach JR McNabb. I thought we gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, especially down the stretch that we just have to clean up. We also put them on the free-throw line. But I always say an ugly win is better than a pretty loss. We did just enough to get this win. We always say compete to the last whistle and be ready and be confident. I expect all of our girls whenever we’re playing whether were up five or down five just to be confident in their ability.”

Blanche Ely routinely hit timely shots on multiple occasions whenever Westminster Academy came within a possession or two of taking the lead. Scoring answers from Ruddock and junior small forward Gianna Corbitt often kept the Lions from finally flipping the scoreboard in their favor. The 6-foot-1 Corbitt scored from all three-levels to finish with 11 points. Specifically, her mid-range buckets gave Blanche Ely a lift in critical moments.

“We obviously could have done a lot better,” said Corbitt. “Stuff happens and we have to control what we can control. Down the stretch of the game, we needed a bucket and I was in position to get it so I got it. My teammates also hit it. I’m just glad I was able to either get off the ball and get a bucket or get on the ball and get a bucket. I just wanted to keep that same intensive energy when we needed it.”

Westminster Academy got off to a slow as Blanche Ely’s defensive intensity, including their rotation and rim protection, helped give the Tigers a 15-7 advantage after one quarter. Blanche Ely’s 13-point second quarter lead dwindled to six by halftime behind Girardi and five first half points by Jones-Tynes.

Shooting guard Abbey Price also provided an offensive spark with one of her two 3-pointers while 6-foot-1 center Princess Kemp provided a presence in the paint with four points.

“We didn’t come out and we had a lot of turnovers,” said Westminster Academy head coach Shannon Wallhoff. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We would get a good possession and then come back down and turn it over so I think we just need to clean that up.”

Blanche Ely has now won six games in a row to improve to 8-1. Westminster Academy falls to 8-4.