FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – The Winchester girls basketball team fought through some illness on Saturday as the Golden Falcons survived to win their first sectional title since 2013.
“We’re had a rough 24 hours,” Winchester coach Holly Gutierrez said. “It was tough. The played hard and we did what we needed to do to win.”
The Golden Falcons topped host Northeastern 65-41 to win their 15th sectional title, but first for the current group of players.
“It means the world to me,” Winchester senior Liz Pegg said. “I’ve waited all of high school to get this. I’m so glad I’ve had this team this year. It’s really amazing.”
Winchester (20-5) will play in the Class 2A Speedway Regional next Saturday against Covenant Christian at 10 a.m. Covenant Christian defeated Speedway 54-34 on Saturday to win the Broad Ripple Sectional.
Both teams held leads in the opening quarter as the Golden Falcons had a 9-8 advantage at the end of the frame.
Winchester finished the second period with 11 straight points to take a 29-20 lead at the intermission.
“This is an outstanding group of kids,” Gutierrez said. “They’re young and I am so proud of them.”
In the third quarter, Winchester was able to pull away to build a 49-29 lead.
Maddie Lawrence led Winchester with 19 points, while Pegg finished with 13. Shelby Miller added 12 and Kira Robinson had 11 points and 15 rebounds.
“This has been the big picture all year,” said Gutierrez, who is a Northeastern graduate. “Northeastern, what a game. I knew they would give us a game. I am so proud of what they’ve done and what they’ve accomplished.”
Northeastern (4-19) was led by Kelli Drake, who had 10 points. Madi Clay, Olivia Harris, Mikayla Hornung and Kasey Andrews all finished with six points each.
It was the second championship as a coach for Gutierrez, who ironically who led the Knights to their last sectional crown in 2011.
Box Score
NORTHEASTERN (4-19) – Tatum Jordan 2 0-0 4, Madi Clay 2 0-0 6, Olivia Harris 2 0-2 6, Mikayla Hornung 3 0-0 6, Kasey Andrews 3 0-2 6, Kelli Drake 3 1-2 10, Morgan Benjamin 1 0-0 3. Team – 16 1-6 41.
WINCHESTER (20-5) – Maddie Lawrence 6 7-8 19, Kelly Graft 0 2-2 2, Liz Pegg 4 3-4 13, Hannah Graft 2 1-3 7, Kira Robinson 5 1-5 11, Shelby Miller 4 4-4 12, Sierrah Love 0 1-2 1, Autumn Dixon 0 0-0 0. Team – 21 19-28 65.
Northeastern 8 20 29 41
Winchester 9 29 49 65
3-pointers – Northeastern 8 (Drake 3, Clay 2, Harris 2, Benjamin), Winchester 4 (Pegg 2, H. Graft 2). Rebounds – Northeastern 23, Winchester 41 (Robinson 15). Turnovers – Northeastern 20, Winchester 16. Fouls – Northeastern 20, Winchester 9. Fouled out – None.