The Eleanor Roosevelt Lady Raiders basketball team fought back from a halftime deficit to win the program’s eighth state championship in 14 years, beating the defending champions, the Catonsville Comets, 60-56. Ashia McCalla led the way, including two game-defining shots, as the Lady Raiders outworked the Comets in Saturday’s championship victory. The Lady Raiders entered halftime of the state championship game on March 10 down 30 to 28. McCalla pushed her team to a stronger-than-ever second half of play after the team’s uncharacteristic first half of turnovers and a rebounding deficit created the need for a comeback.
With three seconds remaining in the first half, McCalla had faded to her right and fought through two defenders before banking in a shot and knocking down the ensuing free throw to narrow the deficit to a single basket. In the second half, only McCalla could top her first-half theatrics. As the shot clock dwindled on a third quarter possession, McCalla faded, this time to her left – and once again draped – and drained a fade-away threepointer, falling to her back in the process. And of course it was McCalla who sealed the Lady Raiders’ state championship, this time in much less dramatic manner, sinking two free throws with just under 10 seconds remaining. In a frenetic, back-and-forth game with Catonsville, it was McCalla who answered every Comet run, finishing with 29 points, her two highlight-worthy shots and an even more memorable outcome.
Roosevelt endured a first half of uncharacteristic turnovers, a rebounding deficit and the hot shooting of Catonsville senior Jameila Barrett. The Comets’ considerable length bothered Roosevelt, but with McCalla’s circus shot to end the half, the Lady Raiders had weathered their toughest opponent to date – even in the state semi-final two days earlier, Roosevelt was never seriously threatened as they glided to a 64-51 victory over the North Point Eagles. Though Catonsville senior Jasmine Dickey asserted herself in the second half, McCalla always answered, while the Lady Raiders’ supporting cast helped push their lead to as many as eight points.
Coach Delton Fuller employed sophomore Nylah Lee to harass Dickey, while junior Taylor McCormick added a momentum-boosting three pointer. Juniors Trinity Workman and Makayla Adams also hit shots at opportune moments for Roosevelt, as the Comets did not go gently. Aside from McCalla, no one was as instrumental in the Lady Raider victory as senior classmate Nia Scott who allowed Roosevelt to pull even on the boards. Then she also ensured her team maintained composure as the Comets employed a full court press in a last-ditch comeback. After Dickey knocked down a jumper to make it a two-point game, McCalla stepped to the line for the two free throws that sealed the win. With no more theatrics necessary, McCalla only had one task left – join her euphoric teammates at center court for something even more memorable than her highlight reel performance: a state championship.
Patrick Gleason is an Englsih teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.