COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thursday’s much anticipated Central Catholic League matchup featured two of the favorites in Bishop Watterson and Bishop Hartley. Despite early offensive struggles, Danielle Grim’s 18 point effort led the Eagles to the 48-37 win. 

Hartley started the game giving Watterson fits due to their packed in two/three zone. The Hawks outscored the Eagles 15-8 in the opening frame led by senior Kami Kortokrax with seven, including a big three at the end of the quarter.

Watterson the second quarter on a 14-3 run thanks to eight straight points from senior Danielle Grim. The Eagles kept Hartley off of the offensive boards and held Kortokrax and sophomore Eloise Brandewie to just two points in the quarter. Watterson went into halftime with a 22-21 lead. 

Kiarra McElrath kept the game tight in the fourth by knocking down a three and a smooth midrange jumper but Grim’s hot hand was too much to handle. Her shooting gave the Eagles a six point lead headed into the fourth.

Watterson stretched their lead in the final frame thanks to two buckets by junior Camille Gregory. Hartley was forced to foul and the Eagles went 7-for-8 from the line to close out the game. In the loss, Hartley was led by Kortokrax and sophomore Kiarra McElrath with 10 each. Grim led the Eagles with 18 followed by Kilyn McGuff with 10.  

Danielle Grim (5'8 G / Bishop Watterson / 2021) - Grim, a Long Island commit, was the star of the show tonight for Watterson. She scored eight straight points in the second quarter to headline a 14-3 run by the Eagles which gave them the lead for good. Grim’s second quarter outburst was highlighted by a smooth ankle breaking crossover that led to a wide open three. She tallied 18 points on the night with three three pointers. She will be a big piece of Watterson’s tournament run here in the next couple of weeks. 

Kiarra McElrath (5’6 G / Bishop Hartley / 2023) - McElrath is developing into quite the guard as the season goes on. She is really starting to handle the ball with confidence and is making much better decisions with the basketball. She knocked down two three pointers and scored five straight in the third. McElrath has a great motor and plays tough defense on opposing guards. She has shown significant growth in her decision making on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. This young guard has a lot of potential if she can continue to grow at this rate. 

Camille Gregory (5’6 G / Bishop Watterson / 2022) - On a night where points were hard to come by, Gregory gave Watterson a little boost off the bench. The junior had two tough drives in the fourth to help seal the game for the Eagles - the only two baskets for the team in the fourth. Gregory is an important role player for the Eagles and plays her role well. Every championship team needs players like Gregory who play their role and rise to the occasion when called upon like Thursday.