South Central girls Claim District 12B title

South Central used a dominating third quarter to defeat Tripp-Delmont/Armour 51-39 and claim the District 12B girls’ basketball title Friday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

The Cougars jumped to an early 6-1 lead with 4:44 left in the first quarter but could manage only two points the rest of the period. The Nighthawks scored six points and trailed 8-7 going into the second quarter.

A three-point basket from Tripp-Delmont/Armour’s Hannah Just tied the game at 10, but South Central went on a 10-2 run to gain a 20-12 lead. Just hit another 3-pointer to pull the Nighthawks to within 20-15 at halftime.

The teams traded baskets to open the second half but the Cougars went on a 12-0 run, over a three-minute span, to open the lead to 34-17.

Kelli Batterman tried to keep the TDA close as she scored nine of her team’s 12 third-period points. But South Central ended the quarter with a 42-27 lead.

“Our defense was better,” said South Central coach Ron Determan of his team’s third-quarter play. “Just hit three three-point shots in the first half, and we did a better job in the second half containing her. We were also more patient on offense.”

The fourth quarter saw the Cougars put the game away with a 9-3 run and a 49-30 lead.

Ashley Green led the Cougar attack with 17 points, followed by Schae Hanson with 12 points.

The Cougars (13-9) were 22-of-62 for 35 percent from the field and 9-of-18 from the free-throw line. South Central outrebounded TDA 34-27.

“I thought we could go man-to-man but the Green girls hurt us bad,” said TDA coach Brian Jones. “They made some easy shots and we missed some easy shots. It comes down to making baskets, and we didn’t rebound as well as they did and they deserved the victory.”

Batterman and Just led the Nighthawks with 13 points each and Batterman had nine rebounds.

TDA (4-19) was 11-of-46 for 24 percent from the floor and 12-of-26 for 46 percent from the free-throw line.

South Central plays Hanson in the Region 6B tournament March 2 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

With the win, South Central faces the Hanson Beavers in the Region 6B girls’ basketball championship game.

TDA 7 15 27 39

SC 8 20 42 51

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