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DANBURY - A year after walking off the court at Western Connecticut State University with a second-place trophy and plenty of lingering regret, the Notre Dame Prep girls basketball team got some redemption.
The No. 1-seeded Lancers used a strong second half to pull away from No. 3 Bethel 42-34 on Monday back at Western, and claim the title that slipped through their fingers last winter.
This was the fourth SWC title for Notre Dame since 2020, and first since 2022. They lost to Bethel in last year's championship game.
"It feels so good after last year," Notre Dame sophomore Kolbe McCray said. "This year, we wanted it so bad and we pushed every game and every practice, and we just wanted it bad."
McCray led all scorers with 21 points, with Saniyaa Moore adding 11 for the Lancers.
The teams were tied 15-15 at halftime, but a swarming defense gave the Lancers a 28-22 lead after three quarters. Bethel would get within 32-29 in the fourth quarter, but could not close the gap all the way.
"I can't even describe it," Notre Dame coach Keishaun Macklin said. "We have been through pretty much everything this year, so much adversity, but we were able to fight through and pull it out today."
Notre Dame trailed by three in the final moments of the first half when freshman Layla Rinaldi hit a 3-pointer from just over half court as the clock expired. Just to outdo herself, Rinaldi also closed the third quarter with a 3 from the wing as time ran out, giving the Lancers a six-point cushion.
Clutch shots run in the family for Rinaldi, who is the daughter of former UConn standout Maria Conlon, who coached Notre Dame to its last title and is now the head women's coach at WCSU where the championship was held.
Rinaldi was inserted into the game prior for each final possession, and has shown a knack for making last-second shots this season.
"She has the clutch gene," Macklin said. "So why not throw her out there? She has hit five of those this year."
Notre Dame did not lose an SWC game this season en route to winning the championship.
Bethel was paced by Vivian Stewart, who had 14 points. Kayla Huedepohl added 11.
The season will continue for both teams in the CIAC Division II Tournament beginning this weekend.
Player of the Game
Kolbe McCray, Notre Dame Prep: The sophomore was named MVP of the championship game for her 21-point effort.
Quotable
"Today it was Kolbe, one day it was Rinaldi, another day it was (McKenzie) Evans. Everybody chipped in all season and tonight, It is a wonderful feeling. I am happy with the girls." - Notre Dame coach Keishaun Macklin.
Notre Dame Prep 42, Bethel 34
BETHEL 3 12 7 12-34
NOTRE DAME 8 7 13 14-42
Bethel: Breanna Steen 1 0-0 2; Sienna Troetti 1 0-0 3; Hayden Chrzescijanek 1 0-2 3; Kayla Huedepohl 2 5-8 11; Vivian Stewart 6 2-4 14; Emma Anastasalkis 1 0-0 2; Mia Bara 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 8-14 34.
Notre Dame: Erin Croswell 0 0-0 0; Mackenzie Evans 0 1-2 1; Ahlona Brown 0 0-0 0; Kolbe McCray 8 3-4 21; Layla Rinaldi 2 0-0 6; Nora Breen 0 0-0 0; Jariyah Valentine 0 2-2 2; Jada Hernandez 0 1-2 1; Saniyaa Moore 5 0-0 11.
3-point field goals: ND-Rinaldi 2, McCray 2, Moore. B-Troetti, Chrzescijanek, Huedepohl.
This article originally published at Notre Dame Prep avenges loss from a year ago, defeating Bethel for SWC championship.