Dream Topple Reigning Champ Mercury To Win Girls Scrub Title

Familiar foes met to shake hands at center court on February 17 for one last battle to determine the Green Hornets girls scrub basketball season’s champion. The Mercury won the opening tip, and Ella Ryan quickly put up the first two points of the game for the women in purple. But Madison Brady’s response was an immediate and resounding 3-point shot, and Brady’s Dream never looked back en route to a 40-22 championship win.

Dream’s strong defensive tandem of Hunter Chadwick and Brady held the Mercury to just 10 points through three quarters. Despite a strong fourth-quarter offensive effort led by Julia Ryan, the Mercury could not catch the scrappy Dream, who took the 2019 girls scrub championship 40-22.

The Dream’s swift-footed center, Paige Gunning, led all scorers with 15 points, followed by Brady’s 12 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers, and Chadwick with 9 points. Jessica Johns, Julia Clifford, Marissa Van Lill, and Mary Grace Zucco all contributed with key steals and solid defense.

Julia Ryan led the Mercury team with 8 points. Lyla Toomey, Abigail Parkison, Emily Knight and Olivia Driver all put up points for the Mercury. Emily Caffiero and Grace Knight played strong defensive games in a losing effort, as did Carolina Drummond and Gabrielle Diggs.

“I’ve said it all year,” said Dream head coach John Brady, “these girls come to the court ready to work hard and compete, and they always stay positive. They are all good athletes.”

Gunning said her team was ready to take on the two-time defending champions. “We played them earlier in the season and won in two very tough games,” said Gunning. “We knew if we continued to play our game, we’d be fine.”

Mercury was coached by Stephanie Edmonston and assistant coach Stacey Ryan.