On Friday night, the #8 ranked Jesuit Crusaders faced the #20 ranked Central Catholic Rams in a highly anticipated matchup. Jesuit entered the game with confidence, having defeated Central Catholic 53-31 in the 2024-25 season.
Jesuit came out firing, gaining first possession of the game. Sophomore Ceanna Forney wasted no time putting points on the board, using a smooth spin move in the paint to score the opening basket. On the Rams’ next possession, Jesuit’s pressure forced a travel, resulting in an early turnover. Forney continued to dominate defensively, recording a block and setting the tone for the Crusaders’ intensity on both ends of the floor.
Central Catholic showed solid offensive movement early, but Jesuit’s man-to-man defense stayed locked in around the perimeter. The Crusaders soon transitioned into a full-court press, disrupting the Rams’ rhythm. By the end of the first quarter, the score remained tight, with Jesuit holding a slim 8-5 lead.
“I was feeling confident in my shot,” Lubrano said. “My teammates did a great job in finding me, and once I saw the first one go in, I just trusted my form.”
Jesuit’s defensive pressure carried into the second quarter, opening with a steal and a three pointer from senior Amani Lubrano. Freshman point guard Sam Harris made an immediate impact, showcasing impressive ball-handling and quick transitions down the court, proving why she has earned a varsity role.
“Sam brings so much confidence and control to the floor,” Lubrano said. “She’s fearless, and that really lifts our whole team.”
The Crusaders opened the second half by running a play for Forney in the post, which nearly resulted in a basket but instead earned her a trip to the free-throw line. Despite the growing deficit, Central Catholic continued to battle and put up shots. Jesuit, however, stayed committed to its full-court press, keeping the Rams under constant pressure. Central Catholic finally broke through late in the third quarter when Corinne Schmidt drained a three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining.
To begin the fourth quarter, Jesuit’s defense once again sparked the offense, leading to a rebound and a three-pointer from senior Lauren Reding. On the next possession Lubrano converted an and-one opportunity, extending the Crusaders’ lead even further. Inside the paint Forney and Dulcie Cleeland proved to be a strong post duo, consistently finding each other and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Jesuit’s balanced scoring and relentless defensive pressure ultimately secured a decisive 57-21 victory over Central Catholic. With strong leadership from seniors and promising contributions from underclassmen, the Crusaders continue to establish themselves as a top contender as league play starts next week.
