Local Sports

Waldron tops Jac-Cen-Del in battle of unbeaten state-ranked programs

Waldron solidified its grip as the No. 1 girls basketball team in Class A with a 51-48 win Tuesday night over Class A, No. 3 Jac-Cen-Del.

In a Sectional 60 preview, Waldron proved tougher in the clutch to improve to 9-0 this season – the best start in program history.

“Waldron is the real deal. They are No. 1 and they should be No. 1,” said Jac-Cen-Del coach Scott Smith, who entered the game with 374 career wins in 21 seasons.

Nichole Garner hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final quarter and finished with a team-high 12 points in another balanced scoring effort by the Mohawks, who now have wins over a pair of top-three ranked teams in the state in the last five days. Waldron defeated then No. 1 in 2A Triton Central Friday, 46-39.

Bella Larrison had 11 points and four rebounds Tuesday night. Mackenzie Shaw added 10 points and five rebounds.

Josee Larrison scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds and Hadlie Ross finished with seven points.

“We made enough plays in the end but we didn’t do a very good job overall,” said Waldron coach Anthony Thomas. “We were fortunate enough to beat them tonight but we also learned a lot.”

Annabelle Williams led Jac-Cen-Del with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Aundrea Cullen finished with nine points. Desiree Sparks added seven points and eight rebounds and Jalee Rider had seven points.

The visiting Eagles (8-1) took an early 7-4 lead but a Josee Larrison offensive rebound and score left the game tied at 9-all at the end of the first quarter.

The Mohawks continued to struggle from beyond the 3-point line in the second quarter and committed seven turnovers but still managed to take the lead four times.

Three different Jac-Cen-Del players made 3s in the second quarter and the Eagles took a 26-23 lead to halftime.

A 5-0 run early in the third quarter extended Jac-Cen-Del’s lead to 31-25 – the biggest lead of the game for either team.

Waldron answered back with a 6-0 run that tied the game with 4:24 left in the third quarter.

After missing her first four 3-point attempts, Megan Bogemann finally connected from the top of the key just over a minute later and the Mohawks led 34-33.

The Eagles regained the lead and held it until midway through the fourth quarter.

A 5-0 run, all from Garner, tied the game at 44s with 3:45 to go in regulation.

Reagan Hughes converted 1-of-2 free throw attempts to put the Eagles up 45-44 but Bella Larrison made two free throws at the 2:52 mark to give Waldron the lead for good.

Larrison added another free throw 90 seconds later and Shaw converted at the rim to give Waldron a 49-45 lead – its biggest of the game.

A costly turnover – Waldron’s only one in the fourth quarter – ended with Cullen scoring to cut the lead to 49-48 with 26 seconds on the clock.

The Eagles tried to force another turnover but were left with fouling Garner, who hit both free throws to make it 51-48.

Cullen’s last ditch 3-point shot to tie the game was deflected by Bogemann and fell short of the rim.

Waldron made 9 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter, 13 of 16 in the second half and 15 of 19 in the game.

“I have been on the opposite side of those free throws so it’s nice to hit some,” said Thomas. “You can prepare and you can talk and do different things but to prepare for something and actually going out and doing it are two different things. It’s a big learning experience for our kids.”

Jac-Cen-Del, who entered halftime 5 of 9 from the arc, went 0 of 3 in the second half and converted just 4 of 13 free throws.

“I thought we had a great game plan,” said Smith. “We didn’t do a very good job of hitting free throws. When we got in the bonus and had the lead I thought if we could hit free throws we would have a chance.”

Waldron won the junior varsity game, 44-40.

Alivia Fischer led the Mohawks with 15 points. Alyssa Benson and Audrey Hogg each had 10 points.

Sophia Sullivan led Jac-Cen-Del with 18 points.

Waldron returns to action Friday at home for a Mid-Hoosier Conference game against Morristown (5-4). The Yellow Jackets have not played since a 42-21 loss to Triton Central on Nov. 24.

 

Waldron 51, Jac-Cen-Del 48

JCD: Obendorf 1-2 0-0 2, Rider 2-9 2-3 7, Cullen 4-10 0-2 9, Williams 4-6 2-4 12, Neal 0-0 0-0 0, Newhart 1-1 1-2 3, Hughes 2-6 1-4 6, Meyer 1-2 0-0 2, Sparks 2-3 3-4 7, Totals: 17-39 9-19 48.

WA: Had. Ross 3-4 1-1 7, Shaw 4-8 2-2 10, Bogemann 1-7 0-0 3, Garner 3-8 5-6 12, B. Larrison 4-12 3-4 11, J. Larrison 2-6 4-6 8, Fewell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-45 15-19 51.
SCORE BY QUARTERS

JCD (8-1)  9  17  14    8  --  48

WA (9-0)  9  14  15  13  --  51

3-pt. field goals: JCD 5-12 (Obendorf 0-1, Rider 1-3, Cullen 1-4, Williams 2-2, Hughes 1-2), WA 2-11 (Bogemann 1-5, Garner 1-3, B. Larrison 0-3). Rebounds: JCD 26 (Rider 1, Cullen 2, Williams 6, Neal 1, Newhart 2, Hughes 5, Meyer 1, Sparks 8), WA 24 (Had. Ross 3, Shaw 5, Bogemann 2, Garner 2, B. Larrison 4, J. Larrison 8). Assists: JCD 12 (Obendorf 2, Rider 2, Williams 6, Newhart 1, Meyer 1), WA 8 (Had. Ross 1, Shaw 1, Garner 1, B. Larrison 2, J. Larrison 3). Steals: JCD 6 (Rider 1, Williams 2, Neal 1, Meyer 1, Sparks 1), WA 5 (Had. Ross 1, Garner 2, B. Larrison 2). Blocks: WA 3 (Bogemann 2, Garner 1). Total fouls: JCD 16, WA 13. Turnovers: JCD 19, WA 15.

JV

Waldron 44, Jac-Cen-Del 40

JCD: Sullivan 18, Borgman 7, Hughes 6, Meyer 4, Groth 4, Rohls 1.
WA: Fischer 15, Hogg 10, Benson 10, Lozier 3, Ross 2, Ping 2, Sheaffer 2.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

JCD   5  9  12  14  --  40

WA   8  2  14  20  --  44

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