Barber’s defense fuels Upper Dublin past Shanahan, back to states

UPPER DUBLIN >> Ashley Barber doesn’t back down from a challenge.

So when the Upper Dublin senior drew the task of trying to slow down Bishop Shanahan center Devon Adams, Barber stepped up and embraced it. Barber, like the rest of her teammates, also delivered with a tremendous defensive effort, limiting the skilled sophomore to just three points.

End of game as UD celebrates a return to states @PaPrepLive @SOLsports pic.twitter.com/qPgBleWvra

— Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3) February 18, 2016

Spurred by its defense, Upper Dublin frustrated Shanahan and secured a state playoff bid with a 37-23 win over Shanahan Wednesday night in the second round of the District I-AAAA tournament.

“I was just trying to stop her from scoring inside,” Barber said. “I’ve watched a lot of tape and when she gets that ball inside, she’s unstoppable so, with how I play usually I don’t really move my feet that much but this game I knew I needed to move my feet and I needed to stop her inside.”

As expected with Upper Dublin, the first quarter was slow and methodical and Shanahan was more than happy to comply with that when it had to bring the ball up in a halfcourt. The Eagles turned the ball over on their first two possessions, but after that it was the Cardinals who had trouble keeping the ball with six giveaways in the first stanza.

After Kiara Ciara Forde put the visitors up 5-2 with a 3-pointer at the 5:34 mark, it was nearly four minutes of game time before the next bucket. But when reserve Alison Gouveia hit fellow reserve Nicole Kaiser on a great baseline cut, followed by a Demi Balasa bucket off an inbound play, the Cards went from down to up 6-5 after one.

“They have really dangerous pieces,” Cards coach Morgan Funsten said. “Adams is averaging 15 or 16 over her last seven or eight games and Ashley was just awesome on her and everybody was ready on their help side. The offense goes through Adams and if you can limit her touches, or if she does touch, there’s three people around, she’s not getting clean looks at the basket and it makes it real difficult for them to score.”

Barber to Chernow for 3, third quarter @PaPrepLive @SOLsports pic.twitter.com/AVIoNwMr4j

— Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3) February 18, 2016

Adams gave her team a brief lead with a 3 to make it 8-6 before Josie Barrett retorted with an immediate trey of her own. After Courtney Warley split a pair of freebies to tie it 9-9, Upper Dublin scored the last six points of the half. Adams’ triple was big because it would stand as her only points of the night

It all started inside with Barber and Balasa with a lot of help defense and doubles coming. Barber gave up a few inches in height but nothing in determination, not allowing Adams to score inside and playing smart after picking up two first quarter fouls and none the rest of the way.

“Ashley’s so strong and if anybody could do it, she could,” UD senior guard Allison Chernow said. “And she did. That was all Ashley but also everybody stepping to the ball and communicating.”

Upper Dublin only led by six at the half but Barber said the locker room had a very determined feel during the intermission. Coming out of the break, UD equaled its entire first-half offensive output in the third quarter with reserve Nicole Kaiser playing a big part with six points.

Kaiser ended up with nine points, making good reads to find space and showing her finishing ability. Funsten said the reserve has always had that ability but her confidence has grown exponentially through the season.

“As we’ve progressed, she’s gotten more comfortable,” Chernow said. “I would say it’s a quiet nine points which is even better. Nobody notices how much she does for us and it’s really cool to see that.”

Upper Dublin’s defense wasn’t just limited to Adams as it held Warley to three points and Forde to seven, keeping Shanahans’ big three pieces well in check. Barber only scored three herself but had eight tough rebounds and two assists to go with her stout defending.

“In my head, I think ‘no, you’re not and I’m going to dominate either way,’” Barber said. “I’m small but I’m strong and I use that as an advantage.”

The win sends Upper Dublin back to the state playoffs for the second straight year. Shanahan’s season is not over, as the Eagles will have a chance to battle through the playback bracket for the district’s ninth and tenth bids to states.

After starting the year 0-2 and trying to adjust to new pieces in new roles, the work the Cardinals put in paid off on Wednesday. The gym had a good crowd with a supportive and costume-decked student section, something Funsten was happy to see.

“Not that we needed a justification for our season but tonight when you win the game to qualify for states, it gives you four more games at least and kind of justifies the season,” Funsten said. “Whatever happens after this, you had a great season but we’re not satisfied.”

Chernow said it meant everything to her being able to play in states again in her senior season. The team’s leader on the floor, the guard, who led UD with 10 points, again did a little bit of everything to make sure that would happen for her.

For Barber, the only other senior on the roster, the bid to states is a deserved end to a high school career filled with twists, turns and hardship. Upper Dublin has asked a lot of Barber and she’s delivered more than that. Wednesday’s effort was just the latest example.

“It’s such a great feeling, I don’t really have the words,” Barber said. “It’s my first real high school basketball season and I’m going to states. It’s a great feeling and I’m happy to be back on the court.”