THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Bishop England High School Athletics

Bishop England coach Paul Runey spent more time watching film in preparation for Monday’s postseason opener than he did ahead of last year’s state title game. There are no givens for the four-time defending state champion Bishops, even in the early rounds, no matter what history may suggest. Bishop England moved past Bluffton, 68-47, in the opening round of the AAA state playoffs. The Bishops have advanced through the first round of the postseason now for 12 straight years. “I thought this one was going to be a dog fight,” Runey said. “I really did. But the girls came out ready from the start. A lot of things clicked tonight.” This isn’t the Bishop England team you may be used to from years past. It can’t be. The pieces no longer fit the same way. So Runey and his staff have devised a new identity that’s been continuously tweaked this season. The most recent version was on display Monday, the one the Bishops will wear throughout this postseason. Bishop England opened on a 20-3 run through the first five minutes of the game. Katie Brooks and Katie Cullum were especially effective early, both scoring eight points in the opening quarter. The Bishops' frontline is long and has a knack for opportune rebounding and dainty putbacks. Bishop England outrebounded Bluffton 59-30 with 10 players grabbing two or more. Brooks finished with a game-high 20 points with eight rebounds, four steals and four assists. Cullum added 16 points with 11 rebounds. Both of the juniors are invaluable pieces with different roles. Cullum is the Bishops’ best post option, a physical presence with a soft touch. Brooks is a versatile wing with a wealth of potential still being realized as her responsibilities have expanded to offset the Bishops’ injuries. The pair helped Bishop England to a 24-10 lead through the first quarter. The advantage expanded to 40-18 by halftime thanks to a six-point second-quarter outburst from Kelly Drummond. Five Bishops scored at least four points in the first half. “That’s probably one of the better first halves we’ve had all season,” Runey said. “It concerned me how well [Bluffton] trapped. But we told them ‘Get the ball in the middle, look backside, finish. It’ll be there. You can’t hesitate. It has to be automatic.’ It doesn’t hurt when you’re making shots either.” Bishop England got off 73 shots Monday — just one three-pointer — thanks in large part to an increased tempo. The Bishops’ backcourt is as quick as it’s ever been with first-year varsity guards Kessy Bradshaw and Jahia Williams. Bradshaw is a senior, better known on the soccer field where she’ll play next year at The Citadel. She finished with eight points on 8-of-10 shooting with eight rebounds and four steals. Williams is a promising freshman. Both can run past a defense and get to the rim quickly. The Bishops' ball movement is still there, it's just more impulsive now than structured. It appears frantic at times but only for a few moments before usually settling into something positive. “I can’t tell you how many games this season we weren’t doing those things like attacking and actually finishing plays,” Runey said. “Kessy, that might’ve been her best game of the season. She took it and finished when we needed her to.” Bishop England reeled off 16 straight points to close the final four minutes of the third quarter on an 18-2 run. Brooks sparked the spree with a tough transition layup despite being fouled. She did it again 30 seconds later, this time with a circus flip in the lane against multiple hacks. Over the next 80 seconds, Brooks added two assists, forced a travel, grabbed a rebound and drained a long jumper before heading to the bench with the Bishops ahead by 35. “Physically, the stuff she can do is as good as anyone in the Charleston area,” Runey said. “She was phenomenal tonight. She's just building the confidence. But she can create opportunities that a lot of people can’t get." Bishop England’s 21-point margin of victory is its slimmest of any opener in its four-year title reign. Bluffton wasn’t the typical four seed though. The Bobcats lost 13 games this regular season, but nine by two possessions or less and just one by double digits. Runey saw it as useful preparation for what’s to come as the Bishops navigate through the state bracket. "When we play to our potential, sort of like we did tonight," Runey said. "If we can do a lot of those same things we did well tonight, I think we can be pretty tough." Bishop England will host Brookland-Cayce in the Lower State quarterfinals Thursday on Daniel Island. Brookland-Cayce, a No. 3 seed out of Region 5, edged Loris, 43-40, in its opener Monday.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Bishop England High School Athletics

REVAMPED BISHOPS WIN 12TH STRAIGHT POSTSEASON OPENER

FRANKIE MANSFIELD

Moultrie News | 2/13/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Frankie Mansfield