Elle Infalvi scored a game-high 19 points and Madyson Hacking added 14 but it wasn’t enough for Perry to overcome a 10-minute drought in the middle of the game and the Pirates fell to St. Vincent-St. Mary, 60-52, in a Division II regional semifinal at Barberton High School on Tuesday.
“I thought we came out and played really well early on,” Perry coach Roy Infalvi said. “We went through a little dry spell offensively due to some turnovers combined with some missed shots.”
Behind a Hacking 3-pointer, two 3s from Infalvi and an Anna Sorine bucket, the Pirates went on an 11-2 run and ended the first quarter up, 15-13.
The Fighting Irish responded by outscoring Perry in the second quarter, 20-7. Perry went scoreless from midway through the second quarter into the first half of the third.
“What really hurt us in that stretch was the last 1 1/2 minutes of the half they went on an 8-0 run,” Coach Infalvi said. “Overall, we played well in every area of the game except rebounding. We got killed on the boards. They were bigger and stronger and really hurt us in that area.”
Perry trailed after the third quarter, 44-31, but made one final run at the Fighting Irish.
“This group has not been fazed by anything all year,” Infalvi said. “We have played in big games; we have played in tough environments; we have been down double digits; no matter what it is, they play hard and respond to challenges. It’s pretty impressive how well they’ve handled adversity.”
Elle Infalvi finished the game with five 3-pointers and Hacking added a pair.
“Elle hit some big shots for us tonight and at some key times,” Coach Infalvi said. “Her scoring, along with Madyson’s scoring, helped keep us in this game. Those two sophomores have stepped up big offensively this whole season. I’m really excited that they have two years left in our program.”
Seniors Anna Sorine and Makenzie Hacking closed out their careers with eight and two points, respectively.
“I’m really going to miss our two seniors,” Coach Infalvi said. “Anna Sorine has been the heart and soul of this team. She is such a good defender, point guard and overall leader. It’s going to be hard to fill her shoes. Makenzie has stepped up huge this year, especially rebounding.”
The Pirates ended the year with a 21-5 record.
With 10 of 12 varsity players returning, the Pirates have a bright future.
“We had 12 girls get quality varsity experience this year at some point in the season,” Infalvi said. “We have 10 of those girls returning and five of them are freshmen. It won’t be long and these girls will be itching to get back in the gym and start working to get better.”
Akron SVSM 60, Perry 52
Akron SVSM (20-6): Haines 2, Dobson 12, Brooks 6, Williams 9, Watson 12, Riley 13, Marsh 6
Perry (21-5): Infalvi 19, Mad. Hacking 14, Sorine 8, Moon 3, Rodriguez 4, Mak. Hacking 2, Anderson 2
Akron SVSM 13 20 11 16 — 60
Perry 15 7 11 19 — 52
Free throws: SVSM 16 of 28, Perry 4 of 4; 3-pointers: SVSM 0, Perry 8 (Infalvi 5, Mad. Hacking 2, Moon)
