Hamilton Heights saw its unbeaten streak come to an end on Friday, as the Class 3A No. 7 Huskies were beaten by 2A No. 6 Lafayette Central Catholic 58-49 in the Hoosier Conference championship game at the Knights’ gym.
Heights led 18-15 after the first quarter. MyKayla Moran scored seven points during that period, including a 3-pointer. Moran was one of four Huskies players to make a 3 in that quarter.
Central Catholic came back to lead 32-28 at halftime. Jillian Osswald helped keep Heights close by scoring six points in the second quarter. The Knights extended their lead to 46-36 after three periods; the Huskies tried to make a comeback in the fourth, led by Camryn Runner’s 11 points, but LCC hung on for the win.
Runner scored 17 points to lead the Huskies, including two 3s. Osswald and Moran both scored 12 points.
“Caught a streaky shooting LCC team on the wrong night,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “It was a great experience in preparing for tournament. It’s really pretty simple, if teams are going to man us, they can’t take away all options. We have to have some poise and toughness to take advantage of how they are guarding us. We got quick on several trips. Didn’t execute and didn’t get the type of look we wanted. And when you’re in a hole and trying to make a comeback, that’s when you really need to be tough and get what you want. Your margin for error is really thin. Tonight was also a great example of the tougher team always sets the rules. You can’t get caught up in officiating. The only counter is to be tougher. And that’s mental and physical.
“It was just one of those nights.”
Heights finished second in the conference and is now 15-1 overall. The Huskies travel to Lafayette Jefferson on Thursday for their regular-season finale.
LAF. CENTRAL CATHOLIC 58, HAMILTON HEIGHTS 49
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ella Hickok 1 0-0 3 2
Jillian Osswald 4 2-2 12 4
Camryn Runner 5 4-4 17 1
Sydney Runyan 1 0-0 2 2
MyKayla Moran 5 1-2 12 3
Kaylle Rhoton 1 0-0 3 2
Hadleigh Cherry 0 0-0 0 2
Cassidy Felger 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 17 7-8 49 16
Score by Quarters
Heights 18 10 8 13 – 49
LCC 15 17 14 12 – 58
Heights 3-pointers (8) Runner 3, Osswald 2, Hickok 1, Moran 1, Rhoton 1.