For the Daily Journal
Lawrence North didn’t lead until the final minute, but the fifth-ranked Wildcats still escaped Center Grove with a 50-47 girls basketball win on Friday.
The Trojans led the first 31 minutes of the game and were still on top with 40 seconds to go thanks to a Cassidy Hardin 3-pointer.
But Katie Davidson drew a foul with 14.8 seconds left and hit both free throws to put Lawrence North back up two. Hardin missed a 3-pointer on the other end with six seconds to play and North’s Jayla Smith knocked two free throws with just two-tenths of a second to ice the win.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
It was a disappointing end to a game that the Trojans had in their grasp.
“We controlled the game, all the way up until the final two minutes,” Center Grove coach Kevin Stuckmeyer said. “We’re not into moral victories and I think the girls know that. We don’t want to be in the position for moral victories. We had a chance and a couple of things didn’t go our way.”
Center Grove (17-6, 3-4 MIC) refused to play Lawrence North’s game. While the Wildcats were intent on speeding up the game, the Trojans stayed patient and looked for good shots.
For the most part, the plan worked. Center Grove turned the ball over 20 times against North’s press and hit only 14 shots from the floor, but the Trojans made the most of every chance, hitting nine 3-pointers.
“Last week Ben Davis sped us up and we did not handle it well,” Stuckmeyer said. “It’s a real testament to the girls that they didn’t allow that tonight.”
Center Grove led 7-6 after the first quarter, 21-15 at the half and 31-28 after three quarters and held a 40-35 lead with 3:52 to play.
Lawrence North (20-4, 5-2) chipped away at the Trojan lead. A basket by Trinity Brady closed the gap to one and after a crucial Center Grove turnover, Kristian Young scored, was fouled and hit the free throw to give the Wildcats a 46-44 lead with 1:05 to go, their first of the game.
Hardin put the Trojans back on top with her fourth trey of the game but Davidson answered with her two free throws. Center Grove had plenty of time to set up a final play, but Hardin’s 3-point attempt was defended well and didn’t come close.
“She lost track of (the clock). She’s a competitor and was just trying to make a play,” Stuckmeyer said. “I think we had Emma (Utterback) underneath and we probably could have gotten a layup, but it’s hard to see from that angle.”
Hardin led all scorers with 16 points but was the only Trojan in double figures. Utterback and Karinna Frankel scored eight points each.
Brady scored 14 points, Maddie Howe had 12 and Young 10 to lead Lawrence North.
Center Grove’s next game will be at the Franklin Central Sectional. The Trojans will play Whiteland in the opening round Tuesday.
