The Crown Point and Lake Central girls basketball teams fought for the title of Class 4A Regional Champions at La Porte High School Saturday night. The two teams were respectively first and second in their conference both having made it to regional finals. There was concern about whether or not the Bulldogs could once again claim the title.
Scoring early on the Bulldogs took the lead with seven points seemingly unopposed. It was after that the Indians narrowed the gap letting the Bulldogs know this would not be an easy game. Crown Point ended the first quarter only four baskets ahead with a score of 16-8. At the half Crown Point still had a narrow lead with the halftime score of 29-20. In the third quarter, Lake Central came out strong but the Bulldogs pulled ahead farther ending the quarter in the lead with 47-41. The final score resulted in Crown Point claiming the Regional Champion title with a score of 59-38.
The Bulldogs stormed the court in celebration at the end of the game.
“Those last few seconds when the buzzer goes off and we are regional champs, it sticks with you,” said Lilly Stoddard. “The teams were really good, really tough but going to State again is the goal for sure.”
Senior Alyvia Santiago was enjoying every moment after the game.
“I want to make it all count, make it last as long as possible,” said Santiago.
She was not only excited for her team to be heading to semi-state. She was also ecstatic that her teammate Brooke Lindesmith would have a chance at going to State. Lindesmith missed out last year because of an injury. Santiago had advice for Lindesmith.
“Absorb it all in,” Santiago rold Lindesmith. Lindesmith assured she would.
Lindesmith credits her team for motivating her.
“The team and those on our bench pumping us up to win, that keeps me going,” said Lindesmith.
Head Coach Chris Seibert could not stop smiling.
“It’s just unreal,” said Seibert. “We are just so fortunate to have great players and coaches.”
Crown Point’s high scorer was Jessica Carothers with an impressive forty-two points with Stoddard racking up another fourteen points for her team and Lindesmith sinking three of her own.
For Lake Central it was Aniyah Bishop and Riley Milausnic tying for the high scorer with eleven points each. Ayla Krygier sank five points with Nadia Clayton capturing four points.
The Bulldogs will head to Semi-State on February 19 where they will take on the Noblesville Millers.