Loogootee Jr-Sr High School

On Thursday night, the Loogootee Lady Lions took the floor at White River Valley for the opening round of the Graves Construction Classic. The four-team field entered the tournament with strong résumés: Shakamak (8–5), Loogootee (9–4), Linton (10–5), and host WRV (7–7). The Lady Lions were matched up with the host Lady Wolverines in a rematch from earlier this season. After earning an eight-point victory in the first meeting, Loogootee looked to show its growth over the past month—and did so emphatically with a 62–27 dominating performance. Loogootee set the tone early behind Alaina Diamond, who opened the game with a six-point run. Ava Jeffers followed by finding Alexis Heckard down low for a bucket, and Diamond added two free throws before Sophia Toy knocked down a three. Diamond capped the opening quarter with a strong finish inside, giving the Lady Lions a 15–2 advantage after one. The momentum carried into the second quarter as Lydia Hawkins got going with a pair of baskets. Heckard added four points with a free throw and a pull-up three. Hawkins and Diamond both converted at the line, and Loogootee took a commanding 28–10 lead into halftime. The Lady Lions put the game away in the third quarter. Hawkins found Diamond twice with precise passes, and Jeffers pushed the pace in transition, setting up Hawkins for an easy bucket. Diamond completed an and-1 putback, Hawkins went coast-to-coast for a layup, Toy buried another three, and free throws from Hawkins and Jeffers extended the lead to 46–18 entering the final period. Fourth-quarter scoring from Hawkins, Diamond, and Jeffers initiated the running clock. A free throw and a pair of baskets from Karmen Wilson closed out the scoring as Loogootee cruised to a 62–27 victory. The win improves the Lady Lions to 10–4 on the season and secures their spot in the Graves Construction Classic Championship on Saturday night against the Linton Lady Miners. Stat Leaders Loogootee once again saw double-doubles from its leaders. Alaina Diamond led all scorers with 24 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 9-for-19 from the field. Lydia Hawkins followed with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, scoring on 6-for-10 shooting. Sophia Toy and Alexis Heckard each added 6 points. Karmen Wilson finished a perfect 2-for-2 from the field for 5 points, along with 4 rebounds. Ava Jeffers contributed a well-rounded line of 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.