Girls seniors hold off talented Junior All-Stars

FORTVILLE — Indiana All-Stars women coach Rod Parker, of Homestead, had put in the play last-minute at observe earlier within the day, a zone break to have at their disposal Wednesday night time vs. the Junior All Stars.

The seniors discovered success with it all through the second half. However an important execution got here with a couple of minute remaining. Trailing by two, North Central’s Tanyuel Welch (Memphis recruit) positioned an ideal inbound to Westfield’s Alyssa Crockett (Michigan), who buried the game-tying layup. 

Extra:Indiana Junior All-Stars sweep boys, women video games vs. Kentucky

Three free throws — two from Crockett; one from Welch — and a near-make at the buzzer by Hamilton Southeastern junior Riley Makalusky later, and the seniors escaped with an 89-86 win at Mt. Vernon Excessive Faculty.

“It was superior taking part in with all these women,” mentioned Crockett, who completed with a team-high 14 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists. “It was actually arduous taking part in in opposition to them up to now, however then coming along with all our particular person skills as a collective complete — it was tough firstly, however we figured it out and began working collectively. The communication and constructive power actually moved us in the precise course.” 

With solely three practices previous to their debut, Crockett mentioned the seniors did “a variety of guessing” as they tried to determine everybody’s position, leading to a sluggish opening half.

The juniors took benefit, constructing a 12-2 early within the first quarter, then extending it to 13 halfway by means of the second. Their sturdy begin was highlighted by an 8-for-17 mark from 3, and stellar first-half performances by Hobart’s Asia Donald, Bedford North Lawrence’s Karsyn Norman and Makalusky.

“I’ve performed with virtually all the core group earlier than,” mentioned Norman, who introduced her dedication to Butler earlier within the day. “The opposite six, we bought a really feel for them… We bought alongside very well and it was straightforward for us to jell that method.” 

The Junior All-Stars led by 10 at halftime, however their lead shortly dissipated with the seniors embarking on an eight-point run as they carved up their opponent’s zone earlier than Crockett tied the rating at 58.

“It begins with the bench,” Crockett mentioned. “Everybody cheering and pumped up on the bench will get everybody on the courtroom pumped up. It begins there and with all of the communication within the locker room from the coaches and everybody else.” 

The seniors took a four-point lead two minutes into the fourth quarter, with a layup by Welch adopted by some nifty passing between Franklin’s Ashlyn Traylor (Radford) and Carmel’s Kate Clarke (Michigan) on a fast-break alternative. 

The lead did not final.

The juniors responded with a 7-2 run that featured 5 factors from Ashlynn Shade: A go-ahead 3-pointer from the nook adopted by a 2-point jumper to negate a basket by Crown Level’s Jessica Carrothers (Butler).

Shade delivered back-to-back go-ahead baskets once more a couple of minutes later. She executed a steal-and-score with 1:41 remaining (Norman help), then offset Silver Creek’s Kynidi Mason-Striverson’s game-tying bucket with a 2-pointer to offer the juniors an 86-84 lead.

“It is undoubtedly a brand new expertise, but it surely’s such an honor to be a part of this,” mentioned Shade, who completed with 14 factors, six rebounds and three assists. “It is tremendous cool, particularly attending to play with gamers you sometimes play in opposition to.” 

With a couple of minute remaining and the seniors trailing by two, Parker went again to the zone break play. Traylor sealed and known as for the ball to clear a path for Crockett, who took a precision go from Welch and drained the game-tying layup.

“These performs undoubtedly helped,” Crockett mentioned. “It was tremendous thrilling to run that play and to do it proper.” 

The Junior All Stars gained one last respite when the seniors deflected a ball out of bounds close to center-court with 0.4 seconds remaining.

Makalusky fought by means of a pair defenders and located sufficient house on the far wing to catch the go and get off a desperation 3-pointer that rang off the rim and out because the horn sounded.

“I assumed it may need been quick at first, however then it seemed lifeless on and I used to be like, ‘uh-oh,’” mentioned Makalusky, who tallied 17 factors and went 5-for-6 from 3.

“I had my again to it, then I rotated and I used to be like, ‘Sure, Riley. I am prepared for additional time,’” Shade added as she pumped her fist. 

“She was hitting 3s all day, so it figures she would hit the game-tying one,” Crockett laughed. “However thanks for not making it, I suppose.” 

The seniors picked up 13 factors apiece from South Bend Washington’s Mila Reynolds (Maryland) and Carrothers, whereas Terre Haute North’s Zoe Stewart added 10 factors and Mason-Striverson tallied 9 factors (three triples), 4 assists and three steals. Traylor additionally logged three steals, plus seven factors.

Donald led the Junior All Stars with a game-high 20 factors, whereas Norman completed with 11 plus 4 steals. South Bend Washington’s RaShunda Jones dished out seven assists; Ben Davis’ Cristen Carter pulled in 11 rebounds. 

The Indiana All-Stars play the Kentucky All-Stars Friday in Owensboro, Ky., and at 5 p.m. Saturday at Southport Fieldhouse. 

Comply with Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.

Juniors 31 19 21 15 – 86

Seniors 21 23 26 19 – 89

Juniors – Jones 2 1-2 5, Norman 5 0-0 11, Hull 2 2-4 6, Layden 2 0-0 6, Shade 5 3-4 14, Donald 8 2-2 20, Kelham 0 0-0 0, Makalusky 6 0-0 17, Schwieterman 3 0-0 6, Carter 0 1-2 1. Totals: 33 9-14 86.

Seniors – Welch 5 1-2 11, Clarke 0 1-2 , Stewart 3 3-3 10, Crockett 5 4-4 14, Reynolds 5 2-2 13, Carrothers 4 4-4 13, Mason-Striverson 3 0-2 9, Madden 1 0-2 2, Traylor 2 3-4 7, Fox 2 0-0 5, Stoddard 2 0-0 4, Smith 0 0-0 0.

3-pointers: Juniors 11 (Makalusky 5, Layden 2, Donald 2, Norman 1, Shade 1), Seniors 7 (Mason-Striverson 3, Stewart 1, Reynolds 1, Carrothers 1, Fox 1).