NEW MARKET — Despite Western Boone’s 1-10 record and Southmont’s perfect 5-0 start, the Stars put up a fight on Tuesday night in Sagamore Conference girls’ basketball action, but the Mounties prevailed with a 46-40 win.
It was the first game for Southmont (6-0, 1-0 SAC) in 12 days as they honored their five seniors — led by Addison Charle’s 15 points and Natalie Manion’s 13.
Western Boone (1-11, 0-3 SAC) forced 26 Southmont turnovers to stay in the game through the first three quarters, but the Mounties outscored the Stars 16-10 in the final period.
“They gave us everything they could throw at us tonight,” Southmont head coach Dan Burkman said. “I thought our play down the stretch was much improved than it has been. We were more composed and not freaking out as bad as we were at the beginning of the season.
“That was a focus of mine coming into my first year here. There were some stretches where did pretty well. When the pressure steps up we have to learn take better care of the basketball.”
The Stars came in averaging just a tick above 27 points per game, but were able to produce their second highest scoring total of the season. Coach Megan Alexander was very pleased with how her girls battled in the loss.
“We’re improving every single day and that includes tonight,” Alexander said. “All of our young girls are starting to show their skills because the game is starting to slow down for them. Emmy Roys (playing just her third game of the season) is just playing off pure instinct and hustle and her return has made an impact for us.”
Roys led the Stars with 12 points in the loss.
Heading into the final quarter the Stars had the score all tied at 30 and had held Southmont’s top two scorers in Sidney Veatch and Belle Miller in check. Alexander credits that to the tough competition her team had already faced this season.
“We pride ourselves on defense,” she said. “We knew that we were going to struggle to score so day in and day out at practice these girls from top to bottom are drilled on their footwork and communication on that side of the ball. Our games against teams like Zionsville and Cascade have really helped them be able to guard anyone they get matched up with.”
Western Boone is idle until a visit to Fountain Central on Jan. 5, while Southmont is at Frontier on Jan. 2.
Veatch, Manion, Charles, Abby Gass, and Marissa Craig were the five seniors honored before the game. Burkman took a moment after the game to talk about the impact of those girls in his first season.
“This is the most open and inviting group of girls that I’ve coached,” he said. “They’re very accepting and want to be coached and great kids on top of that. Abby’s a brute out there, and you have Addi whose kind of the cheerleader and Roo (Craig) knows only one speed and that’s fast. Then both Sid and Natalie are tremendous athletes. They’re all great seniors and I’m glad I have them to lean on.”
