TAC Murray propels Girard to title

Cachet Murray and the Indians' defense keyed a 53-42 win over Hubbard.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
GIRARD -- Girard High junior Cachet Murray stepped away from her teammates at mid-court, wiped her eyes and smiled.
"Don't tell anyone I've been crying," she said.
Too late.
Of course, no one should be surprised that Murray was crying. No one should be surprised by anything Murray does anymore.
Thursday's game was just the latest example.
Like she's done all season, Murray took her team on her shoulders and carried them.
She scored 18 points. She grabbed 17 rebounds. (Girard only had 25.) She applied pressure on defense and she broke down pressure on offense.
And, like she's done in every game she's played this season, she won.
The Indians put the finishing touches on an already stunning season by dropping visiting Hubbard, 53-42, to win the Trumbull Athletic Conference title.
Surprised?
"We had a lot of questions at the beginning of the year," admitted Girard coach Andy Saxon. "Both teams lost a number of seniors and we were picked to finish in the middle of the pack.
"These seniors stepped up this year and did an outstanding job."
Senior Justine Christopher added 16 points for the Indians (18-1, 13-0), whose only loss came against Niles when Murray was out with a cold.
Defense is difference
But it was Girard's defense that made the difference, holding Hubbard to just 12-of-45 shooting from the field (26 percent).
"Our defense has been key since Day 1," Saxon said. "You win championships with defense."
Hubbard knows. The Eagles won last year's TAC title with defense, and tried to use a zone defense on Thursday to slow Murray and keep the game close.
It almost worked. But after Hubbard cut its deficit to one, 24-23, with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter, Girard closed the quarter with an 11-4 run to take control.
Hubbard tried to pressure the Indians by switching to man-to-man, but it didn't work.
"I think Girard made big plays when they had to," Hubbard coach Dave Konczal said.
"That's what you have to do to win championships."
Eagles' leaders
Senior guard Lynle Cornell led the Eagles with 17 points and six rebounds, while senior forward Loni Sargent added 16 points and nine rebounds.
It was a bittersweet ending to a surprisingly successful season.
"At the beginning of the year, everyone picked Champion and Brookfield and Lakeview to win it," Konczal said.
"We were the also-rans, in the middle of the pack. I think it says a lot for Girard's program and for our program that we're here."
Both teams now look ahead to the tournament.
Hubbard will play in the Division II district at Fitch, which includes state-ranked Salem.
Girard goes to the Div. III district at Rootstown, which includes defending state champion South Euclid Regina.
Needless to say, it won't be easy.
"Don't remind me," Murray said. "But we know we can beat any team if we play our game."
scalzo@vindy.com