Mustangs Cruise to Another Ring: Takeaways From The WCAC Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PVI Scrappy, but a lack of PG hurt them a lot</strong><br>PVI's strength of schedule this season was high-level, and more often than not, they played up to the standard of their opponent. They have close losses against some nationally ranked teams and a win over a fellow semi-final contestant in St. John's. They have an overtime loss to Ireton and a loss to McNamara, where PVI was a play away from winning. Very quickly into the semi-final against McNamara, the game got away from PVI, and it felt like the lack of perimeter shot creation was a massive reason why. With the way McNamara puts defensive pressure on ball handlers, you need a few reliable players who can handle the ball. PVI does not play with a true point guard, so it was hard for them to generate quality looks. This happened in their previous matchups, but a massive reason those games, specifically the one at PVI, were so competitive was that McNamara went cold shooting. That did not happen in the semi-final, and when these two teams play, and McNamara is making shots, it allows them to set up that press, and that lack of a true PG becomes a gigantic factor for PVI. I enjoyed watching PVI's scrappiness, and they have a lot of talented players that fit with each other, but it felt like this team was an elite guard away from truly competing for a WCAC title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Ireton Vs. Bishop McNamara again next year <br></strong>Even though McNamara cruised by Bishop Ireton, I think this matchup is going to be the repeat final next year and a more competitive outing, assuming these teams return the same group of people. In Ireton, you have one of the youngest teams in the area, and they don't have a senior on the roster. On the other hand, a Bishop McNamara team ranked number 1 in the nation starts 4 non-seniors, and their 3 best players will most likely be returning next year. I think you saw a lot of the potential in a couple of these Ireton players going forward, like [player_tooltip player_id='983664' first='Nina' last='Mceldon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='946891' first='Mackenzi' last='Jackson'], and there is an overall jump this Ireton team can make come next season. You saw a little bit of the inexperience in this Ireton team in both games, especially at the end of the St. John's game, where instead of nursing a lead, they took a handful of questionable shots. McNamara will still be the cream of the crop next season, and I feel secure in saying they will again be at the top of the conference next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Backcourt in the nation <br></strong>I feel pretty confident in saying Bishop McNamara's backcourt trio of [player_tooltip player_id='838920' first='Nyair' last='McCoy'], [player_tooltip player_id='787978' first='Qandace' last='Samuels'], and [player_tooltip player_id='864319' first='Jaylah' last='King'] is the best in America. It's not just about the talent all three possess, but it's about the fit together. [player_tooltip player_id='864319' first='Jaylah' last='King'] is the perfect off-guard with her shooting ability and off-ball talent. [player_tooltip player_id='787978' first='Qandace' last='Samuels'] is a blue-chip prospect with the size and skill that make her a matchup nightmare. And [player_tooltip player_id='838920' first='Nyair' last='McCoy']'s relentless defense and facilitation are a constant reminder of the identity of this McNamara squad. These three play in perfect harmony, and in the final, it was apparent they were the three best players on the court and as good as any backcourt in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->