The Flashes trimmed Southport’s lead to 55-53 on a 3-point shot by freshman Katy Larson with 26 seconds left in the game. Andrea Viddaurre added a free throw for the final margin. FC missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer.
“We had to play four quarters,” FC coach Brian Hacker said. “We’re not playing other counties; we’re playing Marion County basketball. And if you don’t show up for one quarter, you’ll get beat. We have players who help us on one side of the ball but not the other side. They have to buy into the consistency that we need.”
Southport senior Emma DeHart scored 13 of her game-high 24 points in the second quarter as the Cardinals rang up a 32-20 halftime lead. Vidaurre scored 12 points and 6-3 center Jaelencia Williams 10 points and six rebounds
“Conference road win ... and they don’t give those out for free,” Southport first-year coach Bert Collins said. “We came back from two tough losses. We came out and were mentally tough except for the last two minutes. I like the direction we’re headed.”
Collins pointed out that junior Savannah Edington has blossomed into a starter and classmate Grace Branson has improved her defense and hit a 3-point shot in the second quarter.
Upcoming boys games: Thursday, 9 a.m., Greenwood Christian vs Indian Creek at Monrovia Tourney through Friday; Franklin Central in Richmond Tourney through Friday; Friday, 7;30 p.m., Greenwood at Center Grove; Chatard at Roncalli; New Palestine at Beech Grove Tourney; 10:30 a.m., Perry Meridian at Shelbyville Tourney.
Girls games: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Franklin Central at Lawrence North, Manual at Decatur Central, Ritter at Lutheran, Roncalli at Covenant Christian Tourney. Thursday, 12:30 p.m., Southport vs. Wapihani at East Central Tourney though Friday; 7 p.m., Tri-County (Mich.) at Greenwood Christian.