Magnificat Defeats Big Walnut in Battle of the Titans

Wilson and LaPorte Lead Magnificat to Regional Championship Win Over Jackson 54-41

It was a battle of the Titans as Magnificat hosted Big Walnut in a 39-35 gem of a game. While the Blue Streaks came away with the victory, it took several comebacks and having to deal with one of the top players in the state in the form of the Golden Eagles Sydney Mobley who had 18 points. The Blue Streaks countered that with 17 from Gemma Wichmann in a wild affair that came down to the very end to decide a winner.

For Wichmann, she was tasked with being guarded by Mobley most of the night who was extremely physical, I spoke with her about dealing with that presence. “I feel like I’m a player who is always up for the challenge. Knowing my physical nature going in, I know I can compete mentally and physically. I have to give it right back to them, what they are giving me. I’ve worked on not fouling in the offseason in the big moments. I have to keep myself composed and slow down when need be.”

Helping pace the Blue Streaks was Izzy Wilson with 7, including clutch free throws late as well as Elise Laporte with 6. Also contributing for the Blue Streaks was Lizzie Godlewski with 4 while Elle Lakios had 3 and Eva Rivera a huge 2 late.

Izzie Wilson and Elise Laporte are not afraid of the big moments or unfamiliar with them. As reserves last year and also the younger siblings of Blue Streak legends Sofia Wilson and Sophia Laporte they learned from the best. I spoke to them about the big moments and what had them ready tonight, “It’s a brand new team this year and we’ve come together very quickly in the pre-season and tonight we came together with our values”, said Wilson. Laporte added, “It helps that our team has faced good competition before and came together tonight. When we play hard and play together, we can play with anyone.”

For the Golden Eagles, as mentioned they were led by Mobley with 18 while Remy Largent had 8 and Ryleigh Thrapp had 4. Alexa Morris tallied 3 while Lexi Federer finished the Golden Eagle scoring with 2.

The first quarter was dominated by the Golden Eagle defense as the Blue Streaks simply couldn’t get an open look. In fact, the first and only Blue Streak field goal came with 18 seconds left in the quarter when Elise Laporte drove to score. At this point however, the Golden Eagles had already scored 9 straight to start their night. The first quarter ended with the Golden Eagles up 9-5.

An Izzy Wilson three followed by a Gemma Wichmann bucket to start the second, handed the Blue Streaks the lead at 10-9 early in the second. A few moments later, a Wichmann miss was saved from going out of bounce by Wilson who tossed it back to Wichmann to score, increasing the Blue Streak lead to 14-11 with 4 minutes left in the half. Then, with 56.9 left to play, Wichmann showed her range by nailing a three to make the lead 18-13 Blue Streaks. Laporte followed with a three of her own as the Blue Streaks took a 21-17 lead into the break after holding the Golden Eagles to just 8 in the second quarter.

The Golden Eagles came out red hot to start the second half with back to back three balls from Largent and Morris before a fast break layup from Mobley made it 25 – 21 minutes in. Gemma and Izzy Wilson tied it at 25 before another bucket from Mobley gave the lead back to the Golden Eagles at 29-27. It wouldn’t last as Wichmann nailed her second three ball of the night to make it 30-29 Blue Streaks. A beautiful bucket by the talented Elle Lakios pushed the lead to 32-29 from there.

The 4th quarter began with Magnificat up 32-31 and stayed that way for the first four minutes as no one scored. Two foul shots from Izzy Wilson late would seal the deal but this one was razon thin close all the way to the end.