Those who showed up early were very wise in doing so. The greatest atmosphere for a basketball game you could imagine took place tonight. The 2010 Junior Homecoming week ended in excitement and joy, as the Irish defeated the Bishop Kelley Comets on a crazy night of basketball. Words can’t fully describe the pure sweetness of beating the team that this school most hates, but as a reporter, I’ll do my best to give all those people who weren’t able to attend a fairly accurate report.

Girls: Irish 39, Comets 35
The McGuinness girls are riding high on momentum, and don’t expect any decline. These girls came in to the game hoping for an easy night of basketball, but Bishop Kelley gave the girls a run for their money. It was a low scoring game to say the least. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in their shooting, but that all started to change in a more exciting second half.

Elyse Hight was a huge factor in the game for the Irish, and put up a game-high of 20 points. The Irish were surging past their rivals, but in basketball, just about anything can happen.

The Comets reduced a comfortable McGuinness lead, and put out everything they could on the floor. However, time wasn’t on their side, the shooting lacked in the last seconds, and the Irish post game was way too much for Kelley to overcome.

The Irish girls should be patting themselves on the back once more with another impressive win over a higher class team. With only three losses coming from 6A opponents, these girls are a team on a mission. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a new trophy to be added to the Irish collection come March in the state championship.

Boys: Irish 52, Comets 41
When Principal Morton told the Irish students to pack the place during the pep rally today, the students did not disappoint. By the time it was the end of the first quarter, there was standing room only. The McGuinness fans came by the bunches, and were as loud as I’ve ever heard McCarthy Gymnasium.

The Irish had beaten down the Kelley Comets the last time they played on McGuinness’ court, but this game tonight was a bit more exciting. The Irish were red hot to begin things. Although, how could the team not with a crowd and atmosphere that was set up so beautifully? The Irish were in the saddle with a 30-15 lead going into halftime.

After seeing the Comets come out of half time and making shots of their own, I started to think the Homecoming Queen Crowning Ceremony gave the Comets too much to rest and time to gather themselves. Coach Durham gave the boys one of his famous pep talks, and the Irish hit huge shots late in the game.

The outcome was a nice result, and the fans were also able to see the old Matt Christiansen. Since coming off Matt’s injury, his recovery slowed him down, and not as effective as the team would like. However, Matt said after the game that he believes he’s out of the funk, and thinks the team is ready to get back on track to state.

Matt’s mindset is something positive for Irish fans, especially considering he put up 12 points for McGuinness from the post. Let’s not forget senior Jameel Whitney with a game-high of 15 points, and a good, solid effort from sophomore Joe Edmonds with 11 points.

Both teams sent Kelley fans home with nothing to cheer for, and the Irish expect to do that to several more fan bases in the near future.

For additional thoughts on the game, IOD presents a few post game thoughts from McGuinness students who had an important role in the game: