ELLETTSVILLE
Brownstown Central’s girls basketball team accomplished its goal Wednesday night, comfortably defeating Owen Valley 62-38 in the opening round of the Class 3A Edgewood Sectional and earning a spot in Friday’s semifinal round.
After starting slowly and trailing 4-2 five minutes into the game, Brownstown (17-6) quickened the pace by turning up its defensive pressure. Owen Valley (6-13) struggled with BC’s pressure and over the next 11 minutes of the first half turned the ball over 13 times. Brownstown took full advantage of those miscues, converting the early deficit into a commanding 30-11 lead at halftime.
“We were stagnant during the first few minutes,” Brownstown head coach Brandon Allman said. “(Owen Valley) is better than a 6-12 team. Our girls did a good job trapping. We were able to score off their turnovers. With that second-quarter run, we were able to get separation.”
A follow-up by Katherine Benter, a 3-pointer by Maddy Hackman and a 3 by Benter just before the final first-quarter buzzer pushed BC in front 11-6. Benter, Hackman and Andrea Bair then combined for 17 points in the second quarter as the Braves outscored Owen Valley 19-5.
A 9-0 run by the Braves midway through the third quarter extended their lead to 24 points. A layup by Kelsey Wischmeier pushed the lead to 29, the largest of the game.
Owen Valley caught fire from long distance in the second half, knocking down six 3-pointers, momentarily narrowing the Braves’ lead. But a 3-pointer by Hannah Stahl and consecutive layups by Addie Shelton tamped down the Patriots’ excitement.
“I thought our bench was excellent tonight,” Allman said. “Hannah, Kelsey and Addie really set the tone for us.”
Benter made 10 of her 20 field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, and finished with a game-high 31 points. Hackman followed with nine points, all on threes. Kalee Borden added seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Bair, Wischmeier and Shelton each chipped in with four points.
The Braves made nine of their 27 3-point attempts (33%) while shooting 43% from the floor (23 for 53).
Owen Valley ended the game with 25 turnovers but made seven of 14 3-point attempts.
In Wednesday’s second game, host Edgewood (15-6) survived a determined Northview squad 47-36,setting up an intriguing semifinal matchup with Brownstown on Friday night.
BC narrowly defeated the Mustangs 37-36 in December.
“It’ll be a tough matchup,” Allman said. “They’re really well-coached. They play hard and physical. I think it’ll be a knock-down, drag-out fight. It’ll come down to one or two possessions.”
Edgewood Sectional
Brownstown Central 62, Owen Valley 38
Brownstown Central;11;19;18;14;—;62
Owen Valley;6;5;13;14;—;38
Brownstown Central (17-6): Katherine Benter 10 7-8 31, Maddy Hackman 3 0-0 9, Kalee Borden 3 0-2 7, Andrea Bair 2 0-1 4, Kelsey Wischmeier 2 0-0 4, Addie Shelton 2 0-0 4, Hannah Stahl 1 0-0 3, Emma Klinge 0 0-0 0, Peyton Brock 0 0-0 0, Totals 23 7-11 62.
Owen Valley (6-13): Mikayla Miller 4 2-2 13, Kirstin Richardson 4 0-0 9, Reagan Martin 2 2-4 8, Madison Kay 1 1-2 4, Elizabeth Johnson 1 0-0 2, Kearstin Ciresi 0 2-4 2, Kyndall Drake 0 0-0 0, Taylor York 0 0-0 0, Lilyanna Smith 0 0-0 0, Natalie Hubbard 0 0-0 0, Taylor Monroe 0 0-0 0, Totals 12 7-12 38.
3-point goals: Brownstown Central 9 (Benter 4, Hackman 3, Borden, Stahl), Owen Valley 7 (Miller 3, Martin 2, Kay, Richardson)
Rebounds: Brownstown Central 23 (Borden 7, Benter 5, Stahl 4), Owen Valley 25 (Richardson 8, Johnson 4, Miller 4)
Turnovers: Brownstown Central 9, Owen Valley 25
Fouls: Brownstown Central 13, Owen Valley 9