GREENCASTLE — For the first time since 2014, the Southmont Lady Mounties advanced to play in the sectional championship game Saturday for the coveted sectional championship trophy.
Unfortunately, they faced a talented, senior-laden team in Parke Heritage who was looking to become back-to-back sectional champions. The Mounties fought hard, but fell to the Wolves 60-44.
The Mounties were able to keep the game within reach for three quarters, but just didn’t have enough to finish the game, as the Mounties were down one regular player in an already small bench.
“I thought the girls did a good job executing our game plan,” said Southmont Coach Dan Burkman. “We were pretty good for three quarters, and we just ran out of juice.”
The Wolves held a 20-16 lead after one quarter, after Southmont Sophomore, Emily Link, hit a half-court buzzer beater. The second quarter remained close with the Wolves taking a six-point lead at halftime, 32-26.
Parke Heritage Senior, Emma Simpson, continued a hot shooting hand in the third to give the Wolves a 10 point advantage after three quarters of play. The fourth quarter was all the Wolves, as Southmont only mustered four points.
“I’m super proud of our girls,” Burkman said. “I don’t think they could have done much more. They left it all on the court. My girls played hard for 32 minutes. That’s all I can ask of them.”
The Mounties were led in scoring with 15 points from Layla Gomez. Freshman Ella Barry had 11, which allowed her to break the 30-year-old single season scoring record of 444 points, previously held by 1995 Southmont grad, Kristin Miller. Barry ends her freshman season with 445 points.
Southmont ends the season 12-12. Parke Heritage (22-4) plays Monrovia in regional action at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Greencastle.
