Crusader girls place second in state basketball tournament

Posted on March 31, 2020 By Editor Junior Residents

Bishop Kenny girls’ basketball team

The Bishop Kenny Crusaders made another strong run in pursuit of their first state girls’ basketball title in 28 years but fell short against Orlando Lake Highland Prep at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. They finished the season as second in the state championship tournament with a 22–10 record. It was a hard-fought game according to Coach Charlsea Clark. “Obviously the loss is a hard one, but I am so proud of my girls for staying competitive with a team that according to MaxPreps was ranked third in the country compared to our 204th ranking,” she said.

Clark leads by example and takes her “We over Me” philosophy into every aspect of the game with her players. Bishop Kenny’s strength of schedule was ranked the toughest in Jacksonville according to MaxPreps and second in the 4A classification, only behind Highland Prep. Clark has been head coach of the Crusaders for five years and this was her second straight final four appearance and second runner-up finish. She said she values her players as individuals, but mandates that they always play as a team and work for the greater good of the program. “We had one of the toughest schedules in the state for a reason of wanting to prepare for this moment,” she said. “So, I’m able to see past the loss and be so proud for our school and our program.”

Clark will be losing seven seniors – six players and the team manager – with three of the seniors continuing to play basketball at the collegiate level. Amuk Tong will attend Flagler College on a full basketball scholarship and the Dolmovich twins, Rose and Rachel, will attend Oglethorpe University on academic scholarships and will play basketball. Senior Cara McCarthy finished the year with a record 535 assists as the starting point guard and 118 starts as a Crusader.

Clark is already looking forward to next year and will count on Jasmyne Roberts and Maddie Millar to help lead the team to another state run for the elusive title. Roberts will be a senior next year and has been the leading scorer each year for the Crusaders while Millar ranks as one of the state’s best three-point shooters. It is truly a team effort on all levels and building for next year has already started.

“I have immense gratitude for my staff Breanna Bohlen, Mike Marchigiano, Tarla Millar, for their dedication to the program and without their help this would not be possible,” she said.