BALTIMORE — Mike Toro asked Shanice Vaughan to turn the clock back to last season. The Bishop Ford coach felt his junior guard was settling for too many jump shots, particularly 3-pointers, in the early goings this year. With forward Diani Mason out for three-to-four weeks with a severely sprained ankle, more will be needed from Vaughan.
“I have to step up because Diani got hurt,” Vaughan said “I have to step up big time.”
She put forth one of her best games of the season by scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds, but the undermanned Falcons ran out of steam in a 73-58 loss to Archbishop Spalding (Md.) at the Breezy Bishop Showcase at Poly Tech HS. Brittany Lewis continued her strong play with 14 points and nine rebounds after hitter two late free throws to beat nationally-ranked H.D. Woodson (D.C.) on Saturday. Aaliyah Lewis added 13 points and five assists.
“Being shorthanded and still coming out and trying to hang around in the game, we had several opportunities where we had a chance to chip in and take the lead,” Ford coach Mike Toro said. “I think now they are starting to realize how it comes together when they start coming together and playing as a team.”
The Falcons (3-3), who were never able to get a consistent run going against a poised Spalding (5-1) squad, played without Mason and Brittany Martin because of injury and Jeane Jennings didn’t make the trip for personal reasons. Still they were within 37-33 on a Vaughan drive early in the third quarter and down 53-43 heading into the fourth as Raven Makins (15 points) connected on one of the Cavaliers’ seven 3-pointers with five seconds left. She led a balanced attack that had four players in double figures and attacking the offensive glass, including Camile Calhoun, who also had 15 points. Spalding beat nationally ranked Riverdale Baptist (Md.) Friday.
“Everybody’s got to crash,” Vaughan said. “They were getting a lot of rebounds and a lot of put backs.”
Bishop Loughlin 69, Friendship Academy (D.C.) 43: Tiffany Benjamin and Jasmine Alston each scored 11 points for Loughlin (4-2), which led 20-4 after the first quarter and 39-14 at the half. Aliyah Alston dropped in 10 points, Imani Tate had eight and Ayana Ratliff added seven. Courtney Lucas led Friendship Academy (3-3) with 18 points. The Lions were the lone city team to win both of their games over the weekend.
“We work hard,” Benjamin said. “We came out from the start being like, ‘We are going to do this’”