That defender was usually freshman Adelaide Jernigan, who finished with seven steals and a game-high 16 points to earn the Most Outstanding Player award for the Villains.
“Coach told us we were going to win with defense,” Jernigan said. “We started really attacking on the press and forcing them to make harder passes. I knew we could tip them and we were athletic enough to get the ball.”
Bishop forced 29 turnovers in the first half, and Bertie (23-5) committed 38 for the game. Falcons coach Chris Jordan said his team simply failed to execute its press-break offense.
Bishop McGuinness forward Tate Chappell (12) dribbles around the defense of Bertie guard Trianna Smallwood (22) in the first quarter Saturday. Chappell finished the game with 15 points, seven assists and three steals to earn the game’s Kay Yow MVP Award.
“We were throwing the ball up instead of pump-faking the basketball, just not doing fundamental stuff today that we’ve done all year long,” Jordan said. “I believe it was the big stage, huge crowd and it just got the best of us today.”
The stage was just the right size for a Bishop team that had been close the last two years. After the Villians lost 55-54 at Mitchell in a regional semifinal last year, Robinson pulled point guard Charley Mitchell aside for about 45 seconds and told her, “This is your team now,” Robinson said Saturday. “I gave her a little hug and just said, ‘You take over this.’ She’s done a wonderful job.”
Chappell, a junior along with twin sister Tate, set the defensive traps for Bishop, ran the offense to perfection and provided vocal leadership throughout the run to the title. She finished with 15 points, seven assists and three steals to earn the Kay Yow MVP Award for the championship game.
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