NEW MARKET – The Lady Mounties (9-11) opened up Sectional 44 action at home looking to avenge an earlier 17-point loss Parke Heritage (18-6). A win would move the Lady Mounties into the Sectional Final Tuesday at 7:30. However, it would be Parke Heritage advancing to the final with a hard fought 51-46 win.
Things started well for the Mounties as they led 4-3 with 5:00 remaining in the first quarter. However, that would be their final point of the quarter before Parke Heritage outscored them 11-0 the remainder of the way to lead 14-4 after one. Southmont aided that run with nine first quarter turnovers.
Coach Dan Burkman saw something in the first and made the adjustment to start the second that propelled Southmont offensively. On the defensive side, they switched from a 1-3-1 defense to a 2-3 zone forcing the Wolves to take more perimeter shots, allowing the Mounties to rebound and kick the ball up court for more transition baskets.
“Our game plan was to come out in a 1-3-1 and push the ball in transition,” said Mountie head coach Dan Burkman. “We weren’t very active, so I felt the 2-3 zone would work better to our advantage, and it did.”
The change on both ends of the floor allowed South to hold a 19-5 scoring advantage in the second quarter, as they took a 4-point lead into the locker room, 23-19.
The Wolves opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run to take a 27-25 lead before two Belle Miller free throws knotted it up at 27. Parke Heritage would’ve taken a 6-point lead into the fourth, but a Dori Frederick three at the buzzer made it a 3-point game, 35-32.
The Lady Mounties were in foul trouble heading to the fourth quarter. Chelsea Veatch, Hanna Nichols, Dori Frederick and Belle Miller all had four.
“Our foul trouble in the second half really hurt us,” said Burkman. “I got a good combination in there, and I thought we were grooving pretty good and fouls started eating at us. They were a big factor tonight.”
The Lady Wolves scored 16 fourth quarter points, 12 of them from the charity stripe thanks to South’s foul trouble. They’d score eight of the final 11 points to pull out the five-point victory.
Parke Heritage hit 20 of 22 free throws in the second half after hitting just 4-13 in the first.
“I don’t feel like they outplayed us, they just hit more free throws for sure,” said Burkman. “I couldn’t be more proud of those girls.”
“They got down early and didn’t quit,” he continued. “They instead settle in and got focused. I couldn’t be upset with their effort. It was probably the best effort of the season.”
Dori Frederick led South with 21, Belle Miller 11 and Hanna Nichols 7 in their final game in a Mountie uniform. Jade Gann made her final appearance as well.
Parke Heritage moves on to play North Putnam Tuesday night at Southmont for the sectional title.
The Wolves, who improve to 19-6 on the season, will be looking for their first sectional title
Parke Heritage 51, Southmont 46
Score By Quarter
PH 14 5 16 16 — 51
SM 4 19 9 14 — 46
Parke Heritage (19-6)
Hannah O’Brien 15, Grace Ramsay 13, Emma Simpson 10, Tara Cooper 10, Andi Perkins 3; Totals: 51
Southmont (9-12)
Dori Frederick 21, Isabelle Miller 11, Hannah Nichols 7, DeLorean Mason 5, Chelsa Veatch 2; Totals: 46
3-Point Shooting: Parke Heritage 6-21, Southmont 10-30
Rebounding: Southmont 25, Parke Heritage 22
Turnovers: Southmont 27, Parke Heritage 15