Southsider Voice correspondent
For the first time in school history, the Marian Knights women’s basketball team, coached by Katie Gearlds of Beech Grove, has won the Crossroads League tournament.
Gearlds, the 2003 Miss Indiana Basketball, has guided the Knights to a school-record 28 single-season wins and their first trip to the NAIA Division II national tournament in Iowa.
The No. 7 Knights disposed of Huntington University 63-59 Monday in the championship game at Marian. Freshman starting guard Kellie Kirkhoff, a former Roncalli standout, wound up with three assists and two points.
Gearlds is in her second year as coach after starring at Purdue University and playing for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA and for various international teams. Under Gearlds’ direction, the Knights have soared since last year’s 16-16 campaign.
Pairings will be announced today for the 32-team tournament that begins March 11.