By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – If there’s one word that could describe the Carmel girls basketball team at the moment, it would be “perseverance.”
The Greyhounds have been dealt with injury blows during this season, but they are staying competitive – even winning. Despite losing its leading scorer last week, Carmel has won its past two games, including a 59-50 win over Columbus North Tuesday at the newly-named Bill Shepherd Court at the Eric Clark Activity Center.
One of the Shepherds had been playing well for the Greyhounds this season. Izzy Shepherd, Bill’s great-granddaughter, was averaging 17 points per game for Carmel, but was injured last week during the Greyhounds’ game at Center Grove and is out for the season. Earlier in the season, promising freshman starter Catherine Bassi suffered a season-ending injury.
Carmel coach Rick Risinger said, “it’s hard to keep a team together and not worry about all those injuries. They’re significant players. Having said that, we’ve talked a lot about, people have to step up and do some things that maybe you don’t normally do, maybe a little bit different role. I was really proud of them tonight, that they did exactly that.”
The Bull Dogs led 19-15 after the first quarter, with Mallory Bourquein keeping the ‘Hounds in the game by scoring eight points. Carmel clamped down on defense in the second period, allowing Columbus North six points. That helped the Greyhounds hold a 28-25 lead at halftime. Also helping was Maddy Wallace, who drained three 3-pointers during the second quarter.
Carmel led 37-35 after a tight third period, but poured in 22 points during the fourth to get the victory. Free-throw shooting was key, as the ‘Hounds made 12 of 16 attempts in the fourth. Wallace and Lauren Perry were both 3 for 4; Wallace finished with seven points in the quarter, including an and-1.
“I had different players do different things at different times, and that’s what it takes,” said Risinger, who won his 350th game as a head coach. Risinger won 330 games as the coach of Heritage Christian from 2006 to 2020.
Wallace scored 16 points to lead the scoring. Sydney Bonds added nine points, including four in the third quarter. Bourquein, Perry and Bella Ramsey all scored eight points; Ramsey had six in the fourth quarter.
Carmel is now 9-8 and began a four-game homestand with Tuesday’s victory. The Greyhounds host Fishers next Tuesday, the beginning of a busy stretch where they play two other tough teams, Pike and Homestead.
“I told them celebrate tonight, and then we’re back to business tomorrow for the next game,” said Risinger.
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