Bloomfield finishes run in battle with top ranked team

Bloomfield junior Delaney Richardson tries to get a rebound away from Waldron's Hadlie Ross.

Nathan Pace

SHELBYVILLE – In a season where the Bloomfield Lady Cardinals kept bouncing back from defeats and obstacles, the Cards finally found adversity it could not overcome Saturday against No. 1 Waldron. The Mohawks led 25-8 at the half and won 46-26 to end Bloomfield’s season.

“Super proud of the girls,” Bloomfield Coach Ron Knepp said. “I thought the first half they executed extremely well. Defensively they were sound. We had some great shots that we normally maybe make but were not able to get those down. We were not able to get our free throws down. If you are going to knock off a No. 1 team everything has to fall your way. Shake their hand, they made their open looks and that’s why they're number one.”

Bloomfield scored the first four points of the game to lead 4-0. It was the only lead the Cardinals held as the Mohawks ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run and outscored Bloomfield 25-4 the rest of the first half.

The full-court trap defense of Waldron forced Bloomfield into 16 turnovers in the first half.

“That’s nerves,” Knepp said. “Young team coming in and playing against seniors.”

Waldron played seven seniors in the game compared to just three for Bloomfield.

Waldron Coach Anthony Thomas made it a point to get after the Cardinals.

Junior Brianna Bucher scored six points despite playing through a knee injury.

“We thought we could pressure the ball,” Thomas said. “We wanted to steal passes. From what’ve seen on film they hadn’t played the tempo that we’ve played. Hats off to them. Lot of respect to their coach and their kids,”

Compounding the problem was the fact that Bloomfield junior Brianna Bucher played limited minutes due to a knee injury sustained in the sectional final against North Central.

The Cardinals did score 10 points in the third quarter to trail 37-18 after three and forced Waldron to call a time-out. A few Mohawks did get in foul trouble in the second half.

“That’s the reason they win sectionals,” Knepp said on his team. “They battled the whole game and they kept trying, kept trying and that’s why I’m proud of them.”

Thomas felt Bloomfield did a nice job in making his team work for every point.

“I think it was a typical regional game. Neither team was going to quit. Had some nerves for both teams. Bloomfield’s length was a little bit of problem for us,” Thomas said. “They had a great game plan and knew where to go with the ball. At this point it’s just survive and advance.”

Bucher and fellow junior Delaney Richardson led the Cardinals with six points each. Seniors Kinley Moody and Gracie Lowry had five each.

The Mohawks had two in double digits with senior Megan Bogemann with 13 and Nichole Garner with 12.

The loss ended Bloomfield’s season at 12-12 after the year began with a rough 3-8 start. The Cardinals rallied to win nine of its last 13 despite virus issues in the program leading up to the sectional.

The Cardinals have five sectional titles in the last seven seasons, all under Knepp. However, Bloomfield has been outgunned in all five regional appearances losing each time in the morning session.

The Cardinals had three seniors exit the court one last time in Lowry, Moody and Brennicka Walker. All scored at least a bucket in their final game. ‘[444444

Waldron (23-1) will take on Bethesda Christian in the regional final game at Southwestern High School.

“Super proud of my seniors,” Knepp said. “Kinley Moody, she will just guard the other team’s best player the entire game and does it without complaining one bit. Gracie, super proud of her.”

BLOOMFIED (26) Brianna Bucher 2-8 1-2 6, Delaney Richardson 2-7 2-5 6, Gracie Lowry 2-6 1-2 5, Kinley Moody 2-5 1-2 5, Brennicka Walker 1-2 2, Jaeden Mietus 1-1 2, Jacenyia Godoy 0-4 0, Ruby Myers 0 0, Cady Hamilton 0 0, Adalyn Figg 0 0, Totals: 10-33 5-11 26

WALDRON (46) Megan Bogemann 5-9 13, Nichole Garner 4-10 2-2 12, Mackenzie Shaw 2-4 2-2 6, Hadlie Ross 2-9 1-2 5, Alyssa Benson 2-3 4, Josee Larrison 2-3 4, Shelby Fewell 1-2 2, Bella Larrison 0-2 0, Cendall Sheaffer 0-2 0, Hallie Ross 0-2 0, Totals: 18-46 5-6 46

3-pointers: B-1 (Bucher 1), W-5 (Bogemann 3, Garner 2)

Score by quarters

Bloomfield 4-4-10-8 – 26

Waldron 10-15-12-9 – 46