The Bishop Diego seniors took charge Saturday and led the Cardinals girls basketball team to the championship of the Avalon Classic on Catalina Island, beating AGBU of Canoga Park, 49-38.
Jordyn Lilly and Hannah Rogers recorded double-doubles to spark Bishop. They were named co-MVPs of the tournament. Lilly had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Rogers scored 10 points and grabbed 20 boards. Morgan Wallace scored 15 points.
Seniors Lilly, Rogers, Wallace and Deja Goodwin made the difference for the Cardinals, according to coach Jeff Burich. “Morgan played her best game of the year,” Burich said. “She was energetic and was all over the place defensively. She had a great all-around game.”
Wallace gave the Cardinals a big lift when she banked in a half-court shot at the second-quarter buzzer to give them an eight-point lead, 25-17.
“That was a big deal for us,” said Burich.
Goodwin hit a 3-pointer just before the end of the third quarter.
AGBU cut Bishop’s lead to 41-36 with just under four minutes left in regulation. But Lilly hit a clutch basket and Siena Gonzalez pump faked and scored on a driving basket to put the Cardinals up by nine.
The tournament title was the Cardinals’ second in eight years.
“It’s nice to win one after losing in the championship the last couple of years,” Burich said.
Bishop (11-3) returns to the mainland to play at Carpinteria on Monday.
