The Immaculate Conception girls basketball team made it back-to-back-to-back Essex County Tournament champions on Saturday.  But it wasn’t easy. The Lions were given a tough fight by their final’s rival, second-seeded University, as the Phoenix stayed with top Immaculate Conception for three quarters.

In the end the Lions would come out on top with a 75-65 victory at Essex County College. In each of the last three ECT title matchups Immaculate Conception (22-4) has defeated University each time. University did defeat the Lions in 2020 for the ECT championship. There wasn’t an ECT held in 2021 because of COVID.

In this season’s county final, Immaculate Conception junior Nila Giraud got into foul trouble in the first half but dominated in the third quarter with 16 of her game-high 27 points to lead Immaculate Conception.

Giraud said winning the ECT squashed the doubters. Some thought the Lions could not repeat the success after the graduation of Tyonna Bailey, who plays now at St. John’s University.

“A lot of people were saying that we only won because of just one person (Bailey),” said the junior. “I think it is a big step for us to win here.”  Giraud led the way offensively despite collecting her third foul early in the third quarter. Immaculate Conception only led by two 37-35, in the first two minutes of the second half.  She admitted there was a slight adjustment to her game, but overall, that did not prevent her from having one of her best quarters this season.

“I wasn’t worried about the fouls, I was just playing in the game,” said Giraud who added that the final was not different than the two previous games. “I’m allowed to play in and out.”

Immaculate Conception head coach Jimmy Kreie said that it is a credit to the entire program.

“It means a lot,” said Kreie. “A new set of kids, a new set of players, a new set of hard workers, a new set of coaches that are helping out.”  Along with Giraud, three other Lions added nine points each – junior Camille Wiley, sophomore Lena Most and senior Mia Lewis.

Credit - Edward Kensik, Montclair Local