Second Place in Florida

For the second time in just one week, the Angels of St. Joseph's Academy finished runners up in a major basketball tournament.

Last week, the Angels were beaten at the buzzer by Incarnate Word Academy in the finals of the Christmas tournament at Visitation Academy.

In the finals of the Naples Daily News Holiday Shootout, Naples, Fla., the Missouri team fell to Olney (Md) Good Counsel High School, 62-52. It wasn't without trying. St. Joe's won last year's tournament title, and were 7-0, going into this final game New Years night.

"It was a very well played game and both teams distinguished themselves very well. We just flat ran out of gas after four very physical and competitive games. We had nothing left at the end of the game," said Angel's coach Julie Matheny.

Still, very proud of her team, they return to St. Louis with a 10-2 record, earning three wins in three days in Florida.

Sophomore center Sydney Stipanovich paced St. Joe scoring with 23 points. Erin Nelson, off the bench was in double figures with 12. Maddie and Morgan Stock combined for just 13 points.

Good Counsel got off to an early start and led by as many as 11 in the first stanza. Once again, the Angels sparkled from the line, converting nine of 11 free throws.

St. Joe was out rebounded 39 to 40, and that usually explains the outcome of any game.

Good Counsel spread the wealth around with Faith Randolph and Amanda Fioravanti each  scoring 12 points for the tourney champions.
 
Randolph was named MVP for tournament. Maddie Stock and Sydney Stipanovich were both named to the all tournament first team.

"I'm really proud of our girls. This week they did a good job of defending and getting on the boards," said Matheny.