Decatur Central freshman Kamrah Banks drives past three Roncalli defenders to score on a layup during Wednesday's sectional contest.
(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY STEVE PAGE)
By Al Stilley
Editor
Roncalli’s season came to an abrupt end Feb. 1 in the Southport Sectional with one second left against opportunistic Decatur Central.
With 16.5 seconds left, Roncalli senior Sydney Horton put the Royals ahead, 52-51 with a 3-point shot. The Royals’ defense forced a jump-ball with 8.4 seconds to go. The Hawks fired an air ball shot, but 5-9 sophomore Soriah Gouard emerged with the rebound and winning put-back shot.
Roncalli, the Circle City Conference champs, finish 18-5 under second-year coach Jason Sims.
“We had a great season coming off a 12-13 record and turning it around; our seniors were a big part of that,” Sims said afterward. “I just appreciate our time together. I wouldn’t want to coach anybody else but our girls.”
The Royals-Hawks battle verged on frantic at times, but Roncalli pushed to a 40-29 lead before DC closed with a 10-2 run with two 3s and two fastbreak baskets.
The Hawks grabbed only their second lead of the game with a little more than two minutes to go.
Junior guard Taylor Turk led the Royals with 14 points and senior Sydney Horton added 13 points for the balanced Royals who battled the taller Hawks evenly on the boards.
“We managed the game well, but we weren’t hitting our shots like we have all year,” Royals’ coach Sims said. “We missed a few layups and a couple of assignments in the fourth quarter. They (DC) are a good team; there’s no shame in losing to a team like that.”
Roncalli graduates Horton, Josie Origer, Jordan Hendricks, and Anna Dressman. Coach Sims expects to return next season with four returning starters Turk, Claire Lindsey, Brennah Cerny, and Jasmine Horsman.
“Our young talent is good; we had two freshmen on the floor tonight,’ Sims said. “We have a good incoming class next year. The sky’s the limit for this program.”
The Southport Sectional opened Jan. 31 with eventual champion Ben Davis eliminating Southport, 70-48. Kassie McMasters led the Cardinals with 17 points. Southport finishes 10-13 under sixth-year coach Adam Morelock.
More results of Southside teams:
At Shelbyville
With its first winning season since 2018-19, Whiteland (12-11) was knocked from the playoffs by rival Franklin, coached by former Perry Meridian coach Mike Armstrong, 66-43. Whiteland is coached by former Roncalli standout Kellie Kirkhoff. Franklin defeated Shelbyville, 48-29 for the championship.
At Speedway
Host Speedway ended Beech Grove’s campaign, 41-29, and Washington closed Christel House Manual’s winless season, 42-12.
At Eminence
Greenwood Christian Academy reached the title game by defeating Central Christian, 40-15. The host Eels defeated the Cougars, 48-39 in the title game. Eminence dominated Lutheran 45-25 Friday as the Eels won their first sectional game in 13 years. GCA advanced by holding Tindley to 11 second-half points Jan. 31 for a 53-41 triumph.
Editor
Roncalli’s season came to an abrupt end Feb. 1 in the Southport Sectional with one second left against opportunistic Decatur Central.
With 16.5 seconds left, Roncalli senior Sydney Horton put the Royals ahead, 52-51 with a 3-point shot. The Royals’ defense forced a jump-ball with 8.4 seconds to go. The Hawks fired an air ball shot, but 5-9 sophomore Soriah Gouard emerged with the rebound and winning put-back shot.
Roncalli, the Circle City Conference champs, finish 18-5 under second-year coach Jason Sims.
“We had a great season coming off a 12-13 record and turning it around; our seniors were a big part of that,” Sims said afterward. “I just appreciate our time together. I wouldn’t want to coach anybody else but our girls.”
The Royals-Hawks battle verged on frantic at times, but Roncalli pushed to a 40-29 lead before DC closed with a 10-2 run with two 3s and two fastbreak baskets.
The Hawks grabbed only their second lead of the game with a little more than two minutes to go.
Junior guard Taylor Turk led the Royals with 14 points and senior Sydney Horton added 13 points for the balanced Royals who battled the taller Hawks evenly on the boards.
“We managed the game well, but we weren’t hitting our shots like we have all year,” Royals’ coach Sims said. “We missed a few layups and a couple of assignments in the fourth quarter. They (DC) are a good team; there’s no shame in losing to a team like that.”
Roncalli graduates Horton, Josie Origer, Jordan Hendricks, and Anna Dressman. Coach Sims expects to return next season with four returning starters Turk, Claire Lindsey, Brennah Cerny, and Jasmine Horsman.
“Our young talent is good; we had two freshmen on the floor tonight,’ Sims said. “We have a good incoming class next year. The sky’s the limit for this program.”
The Southport Sectional opened Jan. 31 with eventual champion Ben Davis eliminating Southport, 70-48. Kassie McMasters led the Cardinals with 17 points. Southport finishes 10-13 under sixth-year coach Adam Morelock.
More results of Southside teams:
At Shelbyville
With its first winning season since 2018-19, Whiteland (12-11) was knocked from the playoffs by rival Franklin, coached by former Perry Meridian coach Mike Armstrong, 66-43. Whiteland is coached by former Roncalli standout Kellie Kirkhoff. Franklin defeated Shelbyville, 48-29 for the championship.
At Speedway
Host Speedway ended Beech Grove’s campaign, 41-29, and Washington closed Christel House Manual’s winless season, 42-12.
At Eminence
Greenwood Christian Academy reached the title game by defeating Central Christian, 40-15. The host Eels defeated the Cougars, 48-39 in the title game. Eminence dominated Lutheran 45-25 Friday as the Eels won their first sectional game in 13 years. GCA advanced by holding Tindley to 11 second-half points Jan. 31 for a 53-41 triumph.
Marier Fuller (left) and Kenadi Passley take Decatur Central’s attack to Roncalli during Wednesday’s sectional game.
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