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RALEIGH – Bishop McGuinness took the lead early and never looked back on their way to a 70-42 win over Bertie here Saturday in the NCHSAA Class 1A girls state championship game held at Reynolds Coliseum.

The Villains fell behind on the opening shot of the game, as Bertie’s Trianna Smallwood drilled a three, but Bishop got the next two buckets on layups, taking the lead 4-3 with 6:16 to go in the first, and never trailed again on the way to a win.

It was the Villains’ 10th state championship in program history and their first since a string of nine straight from 2006 to 2014.

Bishop McGuinness defense was tough, forcing 38 turnovers in the game. The Villains scored 44 points off those miscues.

Adelaide Jernigan led the way for the Villains with seven steals and scored 16 points. She was selected as the Most Outstanding Player for Bishop McGuinness.

Charley Chappell also played a key role for Bishop McGuinness, distributing the ball well from her point guard position. Chappell dished out seven assists and scored 15 points while pickpocketing Falcons three times for steals. She was chosen as the Kay Yow Most Valuable Player of the game. Her sister, Tate Chappell, was the only other Villains’ player in double figures, scoring 15 points and was tied for the team lead in rebounds with five.

Bertie struggled against the Bishop pressure, but Rakiyah Peele and Jessica Stokes both managed double-doubles in the game. Stokes scored 10 points with 12 rebounds and Peele pulled down 10 boards to go with her 12 points. Peele was selected as the Most Outstanding Player for the Falcons.

Bertie finished the season 22-5. The Falcons were 10-0 as champions of the Four Rivers 1A Conference. The Falcons won their first Eastern Regional Championship in school history, reaching the Women’s Basketball State Championship Game for the first time.

Bishop McGuinness wrapped the year at 25-6. The Villains were 10-0 in conference play, winning the Northwest Piedmont 1A.