A poor second quarter against one of the state’s last unbeaten teams put Shelbyville in a deficit it never recovered from Thursday in Valparaiso.
The Golden Bears’ 4-point second quarter erased a 14-13 lead over Class 2A, No. 2 South Central (Union Mills) in the second semifinal of the Valparaiso Tournament.
The Satellites built a 29-18 halftime lead and extended it to 49-26 after three quarters before closing out with a 58-43 win to improve to 14-0 this season.
Delanie Gale led South Central with 17 points. Olivia Marks had 14 and Abbie Tomblin finished with 11.
Tomblin hit the Satellites’ only three-pointer and the team finished 17 of 20 from the free-throw line.
Kylee Edwards led Shelbyville with 18 points. Madison Phares had nine and Ava Wilson finished with seven.
In the other semifinal game, Class 4A, No. 14 Valparaiso defeated Knox, 47-33.
Emma Gerdt led Valparaiso with 16 points. Bolanle Ayangade had 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
In the consolation game, Shelbyville fell behind early to Knox and never recovered in a 67-38 loss.
Three different Redskins hit 3s in the first quarter to create a 17-7 lead that grew to 34-17 by halftime.
Four different Knox players reached double figures in the scoring category led by Addi Eskridge’s 17. Riley Messer and Morgan Downs each had 13 and Megan Bolen finished with 10.
Eskridge, Messer and Downs each had three 3s in the win.
Knox improved to 7-6 this season.
Edwards led Shelbyville (7-8) again with 13 points. Phares finished with seven.
In the championship game, South Central stayed unbeaten this season with a 49-40 win over Valparaiso (12-2).
South Central is one of five unbeaten girls basketball teams left in Indiana and will ascend to the top spot in the 2A poll after 2A, No. 1 Winchester was upset by Madison, 72-61, Thursday in the semifinal round of the Connersville Invitational.
Winchester rebounded to defeat Cowan in the consolation game to improve to 14-1.
Waldron (12-0), Benton Central (12-0), Franklin (16-0) and Columbia City (14-0) join South Central (Union Mills) as teams without a loss this season.
