Kelly Crispens brought the speed while Rachel Rapp brought strength inside, and that was enough for Covenant to roll past Fredericksburg Academy Friday evening.
The Eagles leaned heavily on Crispens’ ability to create in transition from the defensive end with steals and Rapp’s ability to clean up on the boards en route to a 49-36 victory over Fredericksburg Academy in the LIS semifinals. Covenant faces off with St. Margaret’s Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
Crispens came up with five steals and converted several into instant offense. The junior guard led the Eagles with 17 points, keying the Eagles fast start that led to a 15-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
“She’s just so quick and she reads well,” said Covenant coach Mike Thornton. “And she’s really good when she gets to the other end of the court.”
Each time Fredericksburg managed to string together a pair of baskets, like when Paige McDermott scored five straight points for the Falcons early in the third quarter to cut the Covenant lead to eight, the Eagles responded. By the end of the third, Covenant was back up by 11.
Rapp played a big role with 14 rebounds, one of several freshmen making an impact for Covenant. Margot Leibl, another freshman also contributed with four steals and 10 points.
Emily Smethurst hit a pair of fourth quarter 3-pointers, including one early in the frame that all but put the game away by giving the Eagles a 15-point lead. Gabby Mirabelli steadied Covenant at the point with six assists and three steals.
Courtney Hoffman led the Falcons with 17 points while McDermott finished with nine.
After playing St. Margaret’s for the LIS title Saturday, Covenant hosts Tandem next week and then travels to St. Gertrude, then gets a week long break before the state tournament starts. The Eagles currently project to earn a berth in the state tournament.
