By Alex Kirby
Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – Fifth-ranked Indianapolis Chatard outlasted a tough and determined No. 11 Vincennes Lincoln team in overtime by a final score of 56-51 in the Class 3A southern semistate at Southport.
In the first game of the afternoon, the Alices from Vincennes came out firing and took a quick 6-2 lead. Chatard came back to take a 7-6 advantage, however, after a great look from beyond the arc by senior Megan Gardner.
Chatard stayed in control for the rest of the quarter as Gardner led all scorers after one with nine points, as her Trojans led 15-12 at the end of the first period.
The second quarter very often had the look of a rugby scrum rather than a basketball game. Both teams gave the ball up numerous times and played hard-nosed defense and, on several different occasions, players battled on the floor or on the boards for a valuable rebound.
Needless to say, points were hard to come by. A total of 15 points combined was scored by both teams in the period, with Chatard limited to only five.
“Both teams came into the game with the same game plan – to nullify the other team’s best shooter,” said Vincennes Lincoln coach Jason Lane.
For the most part, both plans worked. The Alices managed to squeeze out a 22-20 halftime lead when senior Katie McCormick banked in a short layup with 22 seconds to go in the half.
Vincennes’ solid start may have caught some of the folks at Southport Fieldhouse off-guard, but Chatard coach Kevin Sweeney wasn’t one of them.
“We weren’t surprised,” Sweeney said. “Anytime you get this far, the teams are tougher and better-coached.”
The tough defense continued in the third quarter, only this time it was the Trojans who were able to take control as Vincennes Lincoln was limited to one field goal and just six points in the period. The Alices were also hurt by foul trouble.
Junior Kenzie Held picked up her fourth foul less than a minute into the second half and was forced to sit out most of the third quarter. Held eventually fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, finishing with only five points.
“That took away a major post presence for us,” Lane said. “We don’t have anyone else with the strength to battle on the boards the way she can.”
Chatard carried a five-point lead into the fourth quarter, and its advantage fluctuated between three and five for much of the final period.
Brooke Owens came up big for Vincennes, however, scoring nine points in the quarter – that included the tying shot with 1:14 to go, making the score even at 46 apiece. Chatard held for the last shot but could not convert.
In the extra period, the Alices looked as if they might complete the upset by getting out to a quick three-point lead. Chatard had other plans, though, as the Trojans chipped away at the lead little by little at the foul line.
Chatard finally retook the lead for good with the help of the unlikeliest of teammates. Anne Boese, after starting 0 for 14 from the field, hit a huge three-pointer to put Chatard up to stay at 51-49. The teams traded shots from the free throw line to make it 56-51 at the gun.
“These girls did everything we asked of them,” Lane said. “They gave everything they could possibly give, and I’m super proud of them.”
Sweeney was understandably a little relieved.
“We were ready for them, and they were ready for us,” Sweeney said. “It was a fun game, but it’s always more fun when you come out on top.”
Chatard will face ninth-ranked Plymouth, a 45-43 semistate conqueror of No. 1 defending state runner-up Wawasee, in the 3A state championship game March 1 at Conseco Fieldhouse at 6 p.m. ET.
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