Bishop Miege girls end season with perfect record and 4A Division I championship
Bishop Miege girls coach Terry English has seen plenty in his 38 seasons coaching basketball, and yet his Stags surprised him Saturday in the class 4A Division I title game at the Bicentennial Center.
“We looked fresh today for some reason,” he said. “We moved the ball, we were running up and down the court like we’ve been playing all year. For the first two nights, we didn’t do that.”
After faltering at times in the first two games of the 4A tournament, Miege played a near-perfect championship game to finish the season perfect with a 70-39 win over Paola for its second straight title.
Miege (25-0), which finished the season unbeaten for the third time, has won 18 titles, and English has 773 victories
“It’s a dream come true,” said Miege junior guard Shelbe Piggie, who scored eight points on her 17th birthday. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”
As for the near-perfect game, Miege shot 26 of 50 from the floor, and four players scored in double figures: Madeline Homoly (14), Tristen McFeders (11), Hunter Bentley (11) and Lakesha Lamaster-Stephens (11). The Stags also shot four of six from three-point range.
Miege raced to a 9-1 lead during which three players scored, including Piggie on a three-pointer with 4:52 to go in the period.
Paola used its free-throw shooting — the Panthers finished 21 of 33 — to get within 23-12 midway through the second quarter.
Miege didn’t falter, though, rattling off nine unanswered for the 20-point lead.
The Stags were especially impressive defensively, forcing 17 turnovers on 11 steals.
“We all played really hard defensively,” Homoly said. “We were all working together, which is a big, key factor in our defense. I think that really helped shut them down and also dominate the boards. Me and (Lamaster-Stephens) were really working hard in there.”
Lamaster-Stephens had a game-high 13 rebounds, while Homoly had nine.
Miege held Paola to nine-of-44 shooting, including two of 20 in the first half. Paola (24-1) had shot 45 of 99 from the field in the first two games.
“We had offensive struggles because they are very, very good,” Paola coach Stuart Ross said. “They’re good, they’re athletic and all that. For Kansas kids from a small town, who have been there, grown up in the community, I thought we represented ourselves with pride, and we fought. Sure, I’d like to have a better outcome, but I’m proud of my girls regardless.”
Paola senior Tiana Moala, who is 6-foot-4, finished with six points and was two of seven from the field. She had 11 rebounds. Morgan Laudan had a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds.
Miege’s pressure defense caused problems for Paola, as well.
“I think the press really affected them,” English said. “I wasn’t quite expecting that much. But they were really hesitant even throwing the ball up the court. They were going sideways. We got a couple steals and 10 second calls, and then they really got shook.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Bishop Miege girls end season with perfect record and 4A Division I championship."