Bellefonte girls fall to veteran-laden Bishop McCourt squad

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: December 9, 2023

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Playing with some new faces in different places this season, the Bellefonte girls are still out battling each game, improving each quarter.

Friday night was a new challenge as they hosted a very veteran Bishop McCourt squad.

The Lady Red Raiders battled to the final buzzer but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to defeat the Crusaders, falling 53-17

Madison Ripka was the high scorer with 12 points (4 3-pointers) for Bellefonte.

Defensively, the Eagles was strong in the second half, allowing only 23 points.

However, its offense didn’t start until the final stanza. Bellefonte was able to post eight in the stanza.

In the first, Bishop McCourt hit the first shot, Ava Zucco went strong inside, making it a quick 2-0.

Zucco was at it again, this time Zucco pulled down an offensive rebound, upping it to a 4-0 advantage.

Bellefonte cut it to one on a triple by Ripka.

“We have four seniors but we are trying to get some younger players so they can get some crucial experience,” said Bellefonte coach Marrisa Ward. “We are trying to get some freshman some playing time so they can get used to the physicality. As the quarters went on I think we adjusted and tried to play back with them in that sense but we still got a lot to do yet.”

After the Bellefonte triple, the Crusaders went on to outscore Bellefonte 14-0, leading 18-3.

Things continued to roll with the Bishop McCourt offense, the second quarter provided more of the same McCourt, outscoring Bellefonte 12-2 in the second and jumping into the intermission holding a 30-5 advantage. Defensively, Bishop McCourt held the Red Raiders to single digits as the team went into the third quarter.
in the third, Bellefonte continued to plug away trying to attack the hoop but the Crusaders defense was very stringy, forcing the Lady Raiders to shoot from beyond the perimeter.
Unfortunately for Bellefonte, the shots weren’t going in on this night despite the hustle and the never say die attitude.
“I’m super proud of the girls for the way they hustle. They never give up,” said Ward. “Especially being down early. They were down and never gave up.”

Bellefonte will be back in action Wednesday at Clearfield.

Bishop McCourt 53, Bellefonte 16

BM 18 12 10 13 – 53

BE 3 2. 3 8 – 16

Scoring

Bishop McCourt – Karalyn Bailey 1 0-0 2, Gianna Gallocci 2 1-2 6, Cami Beppler 5 0-0 13, Ellie Berkebile 2 0-0 4, Ava Zucco 2 2-2 6, Kalina Bailey 2 2-4 7, Emma Pryess 4 1-2 10, Zoey Ferguson 1 1-1 3. Ella Moore 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 7-13 53.

Bellefonte – Mackenzie Ellenberger 1 2-6 4, Madison Ripka 4 0-0 12. Totals 5 2-10 16.

Played but didn’t score: Bishop McCourt – Bella Toth 0 0-2 0, Kylie Durst 0 0-0 0, Alissa Durst 0 0-0 0.

Bellefonte – Maria Cotter 0 0-0 0, Keira Whitman 0 0-0 0, Gianna Jasseh 0 0-4 0, Talia Cotter 0 0-0 0, Riley Santastefano 0 0-0 0.

3-point shots: Bellefonte – Ripka 4. Bishop McCourt – Gallocci , Beppler 3, Kalina , Pryess.