Hamilton Heights girls basketball coach Keegan Cherry could have said the exact same thing on Jan. 18 as he did on Saturday: “It was a hard-fought victory over a really good Yorktown team.”
The two teams played each other to double overtime in January, and met again Saturday for the Class 3A Sectional 24 championship at Blackford. This game “only” went to one overtime, but the result was the same. A win for the Huskies.
Heights beat the Tigers 41-36, thus winning its first sectional title since 2013. The Huskies had to hold off a comeback by Yorktown in order to get the victory, as they lead 18-11 at halftime.
Yorktown pressed Heights early, but the Huskies were able to break the press and get up to that early lead. Kayla Kirtley had seven points in the first half, while Bayleigh Runner scored six.
The Tigers worked their way back into the game in the second half, eventually tying it up at 33-all by the end of regulation. Yorktown freshman guard Carley Culberson scored 23 points in the second half.
“She made a bunch of tough shots,” said Cherry.
Heights was able to make the shots it needed as well, including a big 3-pointer from Lauryn Wiley. Once the Huskies got into the overtime, they started pressing and that helped them take control, forcing Yorktown into turnovers.
“The press kind of bothered them late,” said Cherry. Really proud of the seniors, couldn’t be happier for them.”
Kirtley, one of the seniors, finished the game with 13 points, in addition to nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Runner added nine points, while Ana Collar pulled 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
Heights is now 19-7 for the season and will travel to the Columbia City regional next Saturday, Feb. 10. The Huskies will play Marion in the 10 a.m. semi-final game, with Fairfield and No. 9 Concordia Lutheran playing the second semi-final at noon.
Heights 41,
Yorktown 36
(overtime)
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ana Collar 4-5 0-1 8 3
Bayleigh Runner 2-7 5-6 9 3
Kayla Kirtley 5-16 2-2 13 2
Lexi Branham 1-4 2-2 5 4
Lauryn Wiley 2-5 0-0 5 1
Payton Dissett 0-2 1-2 1 0
Totals 14-39 10-13 41 13
Score by Quarters
Heights 10 8 4 11 8 – 41
Yorktown 6 5 7 15 3 – 36
Heights 3-point shooting (3-14) Kirtley 1-4, Branham 1-3, Wiley 1-1, Runner 0-4, Dissett 0-2.
Heights rebounds (31) Collar 10, Kirtley 9, Wiley 7, Runner 4, Dissett 1.
The Hamilton Heights girls basketball team won the Class 3A Blackford sectional on Saturday, getting past another tough game with Yorktown, 41-36 in overtime. The Huskies will play Marion next Saturday in the Columbia City regional. (Photo provided)