GBB 4A SECT. 8: #10 host Westfield ousts North Central, 61-44

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By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

WESTFIELD – The relatively towering 1-2 punch of 6’3” senior center Jenn Anderson (18 points) and 6’2” junior guard Kayla Brown (17) proved too much for North Central (Indianapolis) as the host Shamrocks eliminated the defending state champion Panthers, 61-44, in Westfield Sectional quarterfinal action Feb. 6.

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A three-point second quarter created a huge hole for second-year coach Dee Ann Ramey’s visitors, who trailed 26-14 at halftime. Throw in a nine-point third quarter and the writing was on the wall heading to the final eight minutes as Westfield increased its advantage to 41-23.

Westfield (19-2) – whose only defeats have come against 4A No. 13 Brownsburg (48-44) and potential sectional title game opponent No. 7 Hamilton Southeastern (46-40) – pushed the lead to 22 on two occasions before a late 10-1 run by North Central (12-8) got the Panthers within 13 at 52-39.

But fifth-year coach Shane Sumpter’s Shamrocks hit their free throws down the stretch and were never threatened in the second half as they avenged last year’s 60-50 sectional championship loss.

Senior guard Celeste Edwards – the Panthers’ tallest player at 5’11”, with no one else over 5’8” – led North Central with 17 points, while 5’8” senior forward Briana Radford added 10.

The Panthers – winners of three 4A state titles in the last 10 years – entered the game dead even with Westfield, according to the latest Sagarin power ratings.

Westfield moves on to face Carmel (11-10), a 60-49 winner over Fishers (14-8) in Wednesday’s other quarterfinal, in Game 2 of Friday’s semifinals. HSE (18-3) will battle Noblesville (14-7) in the evening’s opener at 6 p.m. ET.

Carmel increased a 14-11 advantage after one period of play to 29-21 on freshman Emily Kmec’s 3-pointer from the right corner at the halftime buzzer – part of a 4-for-7 first half from behind the arc compared with just 1 of 11 for the Tigers. The Greyhounds cooled off a bit in the second half (3 of 10) but countered by nailing 12 of 16 free throws over the final 16 minutes to seal the victory.

One Carmel player who never cooled off was 5’7” senior guard J.J. Williams, who poured in 31 points and added seven rebounds. Williams was joined in double-digit scoring by 5’7” sophomore guard Amanda Shaw with 12 points.

Fishers was led by the 18 points of 5’11” freshman center Kara Gerka, while 5’7” junior forward Alex Hochstedler had 16 and 5’3” sophomore guard Brooke Sugg added 11.

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Friday’s semifinal winners will advance to the title tilt at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.

8. Westfield Sectional
Game 1: Noblesville 61, Zionsville 42
Game 2: #10 Westfield 61, North Central (Indianapolis) 44
Game 3: Carmel 60, Fishers 49
Game 4: #7 Hamilton Southeastern (18-3) vs. Noblesville (14-7). FRI 6p ET
Game 5: #10 Westfield (19-2) vs. Carmel (11-10). FRI 7:30p  ET
Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5. SAT 7:30p ET