Bishop Ireton holds on for 50-47 win in boys basketball

Coach Neil Berkman begins his 5th season at Bishop Ireton, coming off the School's best season in more than 25 years in 2012-13.

Senior leadership is an invaluable commodity and Ireton’s four seniors led the Cardinals to an opening day win over cross-town rival, Episcopal 50-47 when the Maroon couldn’t get a good shot in their final possession.

“I think we played hard, I liked our effort, but we have to find a way to close out an opponent.” remarked coach Neil Berkman who begins his fifth season. “Jamie Senff played a great game, I was glad to see that, and Episcopal was a tough opener.”

Senff, sidelined for much of the 2012-13 season, one of the School’s most successful basketball campaigns, led the Cardinals with 16 points, many from down low in “the paint”. Patrick Moseh added 14, senior Dan Noe 10. Episcopal’s Greg Malinowski led all scorers with 19, but was the only visitor to score in double figures for Coach Jim Fitzpatrick.

The redbirds clung to a narrow 9-7 lead after a period of play in Godley Gym and took a 30-20 advantage to intermission on the strength of a 21 point second quarter, more points than they would score in the entire second half. Meanwhile, Episcopal regrouped coming out of the locker room and steadily chistled away at the lead throughout the second half on the hot shooting of Malinowski.

After a pair of missed free throws, the game came down to a final possession for the Maroon. Coming out of a timeout, Ireton conceded a two-point layup as the visitors attacked the basket, only to see the ball roll off the rim. The ball was rebounded by the visitors, who frantically worked the ball to an open shooter, so much so that the final pass surprised every black jerseyed player and a desperate last second shot was well off the mark.

Bishop Ireton (1-0) returns to action with another challenging non conference opponent, the MAC’s Flint Hill, visiting Father Godley Gym on Wednesday for a tripleheader of basketball action, including the opener for freshmen and JV boys. WCAC play begins Friday, when nationally ranked PVI visits Godley for their annual appearance. Advanced tickets are available for the Paul VI game on Wednesday evening as well as at the door on Friday.