After claiming the Sugar Creek Classic title a season ago in a thrilling 43-37 overtime win over county rival Crawfordsville, Southmont is ready to defend their title as the 15th annual Girls Sugar Creek Classic tips off Friday at Western Boone.
It will be a re-match of the championship game for the Mounties as they will take on the Athenians in game one which tips off at 6 p.m.
Southmont comes in with a 2-2 record and a week of rest after playing their last game last Friday; a 50-48 loss to Fountain Central. Before the loss last Friday, Southmont started the season with a 58-37 loss to Sagamore Conference foe Tri-West before winning two in a row; a 45-27 win over Clinton Central and a 45-29 victory over North Vermillion.
“We’ve hit it hard in practice after our last loss,” Southmont coach Dan Burkman said. “We’ve been trying to use our speed to our advantage and push the tempo a bit more than we have in the first few games.”
The Mounties have been led by senior Belle Miller who comes in averaging 16 points per game and over 10 rebounds. Southmont as a team averages 43 points while holding their opponents to just 41.
However, when it comes to a county rivalry, throw out the stats and records because it will be a dogfight until the end as the last few times the Athenians and Mounties have gotten together have showcased.
“I’ve come to learn pretty quickly in just one year that when it comes to Crawfordsville and Southmont all bets are off,” Burkman said. “You better bring it when you play them or you’ll be heading home unhappy.”
A Sugar Creek Classic title defense is one of the few early-season goals Burkman and the Mounties want to accomplish. Players like Miller, Hanna Nichols and Dori Frederick and others were on that championship team a season ago and don’t want to hand the trophy over.
“We have a lot of girls, especially our seniors this year who want to leave their mark, like our five seniors a year ago did,” Burkman said. “It’s one of our first goals that we have as a team.”
