Mother McAuley's winning formula came into sharp focus in Tuesday's nail-biting 70-62 victory over Aurora Central in the second round of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference playoffs. The Mighty Macs had faced a significant challenge, with the Chargers pushing their lead down to just five points before Mother McAuley staged an impressive comeback.
Ava Little's clutch three-pointer and two quick layups off turnovers proved pivotal in turning the tide in favor of the Mighty Macs. Relentless pressure allowed them to create separation, ultimately securing a crucial win that sent shockwaves through their conference aspirations.
Senior forward Delia Sullivan was instrumental in orchestrating this resurgence, finishing with 20 points, including one memorable offensive rebound and layup in the first quarter. Her teammates also rose to the challenge, with junior guard Taji Alexa contributing 25 points and senior guard Quinn Arundel chipping in with 17 more.
The Mighty Macs' ability to stay focused under pressure was on full display, with their defensive strategy allowing them to dictate the flow of the game. Despite Aurora Central's penchant for three-pointers, courtesy of Ashley Watter's four threes, Mother McAuley's defensive cohesion proved unbeatable.
"We really talked to each other and knew when to rotate and go," Sullivan explained in post-game analysis, highlighting the importance of communication among teammates. The win marked a significant milestone for the team, with coach Curtis Lewis expressing satisfaction at their performance.
"We just wanted to put pressure on the ball and not let them get open shots," he said, acknowledging the challenges posed by Aurora Central's floor spacing. Nevertheless, Mother McAuley's defensive strategy ultimately yielded success, and they now move forward to face the winner of St. Ignatius vs. Providence in Thursday's playoff matchup.
With this win, Mother McAuley has taken a significant step towards securing their conference title aspirations. As Sullivan noted, "Just having that first win feels good."
Ava Little's clutch three-pointer and two quick layups off turnovers proved pivotal in turning the tide in favor of the Mighty Macs. Relentless pressure allowed them to create separation, ultimately securing a crucial win that sent shockwaves through their conference aspirations.
Senior forward Delia Sullivan was instrumental in orchestrating this resurgence, finishing with 20 points, including one memorable offensive rebound and layup in the first quarter. Her teammates also rose to the challenge, with junior guard Taji Alexa contributing 25 points and senior guard Quinn Arundel chipping in with 17 more.
The Mighty Macs' ability to stay focused under pressure was on full display, with their defensive strategy allowing them to dictate the flow of the game. Despite Aurora Central's penchant for three-pointers, courtesy of Ashley Watter's four threes, Mother McAuley's defensive cohesion proved unbeatable.
"We really talked to each other and knew when to rotate and go," Sullivan explained in post-game analysis, highlighting the importance of communication among teammates. The win marked a significant milestone for the team, with coach Curtis Lewis expressing satisfaction at their performance.
"We just wanted to put pressure on the ball and not let them get open shots," he said, acknowledging the challenges posed by Aurora Central's floor spacing. Nevertheless, Mother McAuley's defensive strategy ultimately yielded success, and they now move forward to face the winner of St. Ignatius vs. Providence in Thursday's playoff matchup.
With this win, Mother McAuley has taken a significant step towards securing their conference title aspirations. As Sullivan noted, "Just having that first win feels good."
! Ava Little's clutch shots were insane 
and Delia Sullivan just went hard all game long 
️. I love how the team communicated with each other, its clear they got each other's backs 
. I'm low-key rooting for them now, they seem like a super confident squad 
I think its kinda cool how Ava Little came up big for the Mighty Macs with those clutch three-pointers and quick layups 
... her game was on point! 
And it's awesome to see Delia Sullivan taking charge on the court, 20 points is no joke 
. But what really impressed me was Mother McAuley's defense - they totally shut down Aurora Central's shooters 
... that's gotta be super tough for opponents to deal with 
. Now I'm hyped for their next game against St. Ignatius vs. Providence, whoever wins it, Mother McAuley is gonna crush them 
. And what's up with all the quotes from the same people every time? Can't we get some other perspectives or stats too? 
And then Delia Sullivan, oh man, she's a force to be reckoned with. Her leadership shines through when they're down by five points and it's anyone's game.
.
But what I think is even more impressive is how they worked together to make it happen. It's not just one player carrying the team, it's a collective effort.
OMG, did u see that crazy comeback by the Mighty Macs?! 
their defense was 
what a team win 
and now they're one step closer to that conference title 