FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – The Winchester girls basketball team got through its opener on Tuesday night in the Class 2A sectional at Northeastern with a 67-29 win over Centerville 67-29 in the second contest.
Winchester (18-5) meets Lincoln (19-3) in the second game on Friday in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m.
Union County (8-15) plays Northeastern (3-18) in Friday’s other contest at 6 p.m. The Patriots moved on with a 52-47 win over Hagerstown. The championship game is slated for Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Golden Falcons started with a 6-0 lead and finished the first quarter on top 17-6. By halftime, the Golden Falcons led 36-12.
The early advantage was important for Winchester, which was battling injuries and illness.
“The last week was a real challenge,” Winchester Coach Holly Gutierrez said. “We didn’t hardly get to practice.”
By the third quarter, Winchester led 56-23.
“Getting through tonight was a big thing,” Gutierrez said. “We survived.”
“We’ve got to survive the next two days at practice and keep everybody healthy,” Gutierrez added. “Hopefully, Friday night we can get off to a good start.”
Maddie Lawrence topped Winchester with 21 points and nine rebounds. Liz Pegg added 20 points, including four 3-pointers.
Centerville’s Carlie Doolin finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kailee Tedder tossed in five points.
Box Score
CENTERVILLE (6-16) – Ella Chew 1 0-0 2, Kailee Tedder 1 2-2 5, Alex McFarland 2 0-0 4, Carlie Doolin 5 4-10 14, Cassidy Weiss 0 0-0 0, Molly Coomes 1 0-0 2, Alexis Harmon 0 0-2 0, Kyla Ray 1 0-0 2, Katie Lakes 0 0-0 0. Team – 11 6-14 29.
WINCHESTER (18-5) – Maddie Lawrence 9 3-5 21, Kelly Graft 3 1-2 7, Liz Pegg 6 4-4 20, Hannah Graft 0 0-0 0, Shelby Miller 1 2-2 5, Autumn Dixon 3 2-2 8, Sierrah Love 0 0-0 0, Becca Chamberlin 2 0-1 4, Kira Robinson 1 0-0 2, Olivia Hersberger 0 0-0 0, Kate Riggin 0 0-0 0, Sarah Graft 0 0-0 0. Team – 25 12-16 67.
Centerville 6 12 23 29
Winchester 17 36 56 67
3-pointers – Centerville 1 (Tedder), Winchester 5 (Pegg 4, Miller). Rebounds – Centerville 27 (Doolin 12), Winchester 44 (Lawrence 9). Turnovers – Centerville 16, Winchester 10. Fouls – Centerville 13, Winchester 14. Fouled out – None.