Loogootee Jr-Sr High School

On Saturday night, the Loogootee Lady Lions played in front of another large crowd, this time in the championship game of the Graves Construction Classic hosted by White River Valley, taking on the Linton Lady Miners. Loogootee led for more than three quarters, but a late fourth-quarter surge by Linton proved decisive as the Lady Lions fell 42–34. The game opened with a putback bucket from Ava Jeffers, though Linton quickly answered to tie it at 2–2. Jeffers scored again moments later, followed by a transition basket from Lydia Hawkins off a pass from Alexis Heckard. Early foul trouble forced Jeffers to the bench, and freshman Karmen Wilson was called upon for extended minutes. Wilson delivered immediately, finishing an and-1 on a feed from Heckard to give Loogootee the lead. Traded free throws closed the quarter with the Lady Lions holding a 12–9 advantage. Linton opened the second quarter with a three, but Alaina Diamond answered, and a Sophia Toy three pushed Loogootee’s lead to five. The Lady Lions struggled to score for several minutes afterward, managing just a single free throw, before a Hawkins basket snapped the drought and extended the lead back to 20–16. Linton responded late, trimming the margin to 20–18 at halftime. Diamond attacked early in the third quarter, but Linton quickly tied the game at 23–23. A pair of free throws from Heckard and another from Diamond were answered by the Lady Miners, and the quarter ended with Loogootee clinging to a 26–25 lead. The fourth quarter opened with a Linton free throw to tie the game. Heckard knocked down a clutch three to put the Lady Lions back in front, and traded free throws kept Loogootee ahead briefly. A Linton three tied the game again, and despite a Hawkins response, the Lady Miners followed with free throws and a basket to take a 35–33 lead. Diamond scored Loogootee’s final point at the line, but late attempts to regain the lead fell short as Linton closed out the 42–34 victory. The loss moves the Lady Lions to 10–5 on the season. Stat Leaders Lydia Hawkins led Loogootee with 10 points and 6 rebounds Alaina Diamond finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds Alexis Heckard added 6 points Sophia Toy recorded 4 points and 4 rebounds Ava Jeffers finished with 4 points Karmen Wilson contributed 2 points Alaina Diamond was named the tournament MVP, and her and Lydia Hawkins were named to the All-Tournament Team. The Lady Lions return home next week for two games at Jack Butcher Arena—Tuesday against Pike Central and Thursday against Vincennes Rivet.