Eagles grounded by McNamara at Mid-Atlantic Tip Off finale

For the second straight day, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference got the best of the IAAM A as Bishop McNamara topped No. 5 McDonogh School, 46-36, in the final game of the Mid-Atlantic Tip Off Classic at St. Timothy’s School Sunday afternoon.

Junior center Dionna Joynes had a game-high 15 points for McNamara, and forward Jade Scaife added 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Junior guard Tiersa Winder led McDonogh (0-2) with 10 points.

Leading at halftime, McDonogh was outscored, 18-4, by the Prince George’s County private power in the third quarter. In Saturday’s featured game, No. 2 Seton Keough was beaten, 50-48, by Good Counsel. 

Eagles coach Brad Rees said the combination of an ineffective Candice Hendricks and a second straight tough match in less than 24 hours was too much to overcome.

“We’re pretty banged up, Candace has a shooting hand injury and bad ankles,” said Rees, whose team dropped a 40-38 decision to New Jersey’s Hun School Saturday. “We had a tough game with Hun School [Saturday], so I was happy with how we battled. They [McNamara] knew they had a game.”

“We definitely didn’t play as well as we could, we missed a lot of easy baskets,” McDonogh guard Taryn Durant. “We had some early foul troubles but we worked hard. Our freshman and sophomores stepped up.”

Durant, who’s headed to Monmouth University, Hendricks (Gannon) and Bailey Ewing are the only seniors on the Eagles’ roster. Sunday, the underclassmen accounted for 23 points.

McDonogh, however, didn’t have an answer for the Mustangs’ young inside combination of Joynes (6-foot-2) and Scaife (5-10). After a three-pointer Carrie Alexander started the second half, Joynes and Scaife combined for the next seven, pushing McNamara out to a 28-21 advantage.

After a three-pointer Carrie Alexander started the second half, Joynes and Scaife combined for the next seven, pushing McNamara out to a 28-21 advantage. The Mustangs gained their largest lead at 38-23 after layup by junior center Ciera Clark.

Rees said height will be problem this season, but will compensate with one of the area’s best trio in Winder, Durant and Hendricks. He said playing in the Mid-Atlantic event was a good test for his team.

“We tried to beef the schedule up a little bit so when we get into conference play, we’ve seen the caliber of some of the teams we’re going to see in conference,” said Rees.

McDonogh is back on the court Monday evening at St. Paul’s School before starting A competition against Mercy and newcomer St. Vincent Pallotti.

Hun School (N.J.) 44, Roland Park Country School 35

Freshman Johnnah Johnson’s game-high 18 points help power Hun School past Roland Park Country (1-1).

Senior forward Lauren Edwards led Roland Park Country with 13, and junior guard Daisy Alaeze chipped in 10. The Reds open IAAM A play Wednesday against defending champ and No. 7 St. Frances Academy.

Notre Dame Prep 39, Episcopal Academy (PA) 29

Senior forward Covie Stanwick scored a game-high 12 points and Katie McKenna added 11 as Notre Dame Prep held Episcopal Academy from Philadelphia area to five first half points in the Blazers’ season debut.

The Blazers, who reached the IAAM B Conference finals last winter, open league play at home against John Carroll Wednesday. Megan Quinn and Asia Baker each had 10 points for Episcopal.

Garrison Forest 39, Wakefield Academy (VA) 30

Alie Flax scored 14 points and Shaniya Rentie added 13 as Garrison Forest moved to 2-0 on the young season. Sophomore guard Emily Granruth led all scorers with 18.

The Grizzlies host Institute of Notre Dame (Thursday) and Notre Dame Prep (Friday) this week.

Wakefield 47, Gerstell Academy 25

Wakefield got a game-high 14 points from junior guard Erin Callahan in Sunday’s first contest. Junior guard Courtney Stephens led Gerstell with 13.