Nerinx in Title Game with a 68-60 Win Over Host Ladue

Laying a trap for the Angels. Nerinx Hall has two complete days of rest before facing the St. Joe Angles for the Class 5, District 2 championship game against nemesis St. Joseph’s Academy Thursday night at Ladue. That game, which tips off at 7 p.m. will be for all the marbles.

“Oh, we’ve been preparing for that game a long time ago. Not with just a couple of days,” said the Nerinx coach Mike Slater. Of course, Nerinx was not thinking ahead of a game with the Angels, having to meet Ladue last night in a semifinal game.

Ladue’s Taylor Robinson, who has inked a scholarship with Temple University wasn’t going down without a fight. She led everyone in scoring with 23 points.

The moment of frustration came late in the game. Robinson hauled down a defensive rebound, swung her arms to defend herself, and was signaled for the foul.

Ladue hung tough until the Markers went on a 17-2 third-quarter scoring run to seal the deal.

Nerinx features a balanced senior attack. Maddie Simonds played the inside game for 17 points. Abbie Marshall added 15 more.

Quotes from Coach Slater:

Quote I:

“Ladue battled us. We knew we’d have our hands full. They are a well coached team. They are tough and playing in their home gym. Taylor Robinson proved why she is one of the top players in the area and why she was sought out by a lot of colleges.

Quote II

“We are led by our seniors Maddie and Abbie. Maddie has been with us since she’s a freshman. She is such a smart, versatile player who plays in the post but can hit from the outside. We wanted to make them guard her the length of the floor. Same thing for Abbie. She really knows how to get to the basket. I am really pleased how our seniors led the charge today.

Maddie Simonds:

Quote I

“Yes, St. Joe is a rematch. Anything can happen in the post season.

Quote II

“We are a senior dominated team and we are literally putting everything on the line. We are not holding anything back. We will work hard in practice, but we’ve been preparing for the St. Joe game for quite some time.

Ladue coach Cord Dockery

Quote I

“We played hard. We left everything on the court. I was proud of the way the girls played. It came down to free throws and rebounds. They rushed us from the free throw line. We gave up too many second chances, and when you are playing good teams, you can’t do those things.

Top scorers: Nerinx, Maddie Simonds, 17 points. Abbie Marshall, 15 points.

Ladue: Taylor Robinson 23 points; Kaitlynn Walker 16 points.