Girls own HHC crown with Yorktown win

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YORKTOWN — The Pendleton Heights girls basketball team went on a business trip Saturday.

It was never challenged in its win against Yorktown to close out the regular season,and it was the team’s 19th win of the season.

But the real accomplishment of the day was one the Arabians had not enjoyed in nearly a decade.

Seniors Kelsey Burton and Sam Hammel each recorded a double-double, and three Arabians scored in double figures, as Pendleton Heights routed Yorktown 52-26, completing a perfect 7-0 season in the Hoosier Heritage Conference.

It is the first outright conference championship for Pendleton Heights since it won back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.

Pendleton Heights was also a conference champion in 2014, but shared the title with Mt. Vernon and Greenfield-Central.

“It means a lot,” coach Chad Cook said. “We had some big wins on the road this year — today to close it out — at Greenfield, and at New Pal. It just means a lot for this group to run the table and get that win today. I’m really proud of how we operated through the whole conference.”

Although patient on offense, the team’s biggest strength — its defense — took center stage Saturday. The Arabians held the Tigers to just 13 first-half points and forced a total of 17 turnovers, 16 of which were steals by the Pendleton Heights defense.

The leading thief for the Arabians was Burton, who, in addition to scoring 13 points (all in the second half) and grabbing 11 rebounds, also had six steals, five of which led to easy baskets for Pendleton Heights.

“She’s one of those motors for us,” Cook said. “When she gets going offensively, we get a little more swagger going and feeling good. Kelsey came out hot in the second half.”

Burton scored the first seven Arabian points, and nine total, in the third quarter as Pendleton Heights (19-4) slowly pulled away from Yorktown (10-11).

“We wanted to be real patient offensively and not force things,” Cook said. “We wanted to limit our turnovers — I think we did a good job at that.”

The Arabians turned the ball over 13 times on the day.

Hammel scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds for Pendleton Heights as well as handing out six assists. Senior Adrienne Phillips added 11 points and six boards, while senior Maggie Dooley chipped in nine points for a balanced Arabian offensive attack.

“That’s the way we’ve done it,” Cook said. “We spread it out pretty good. I expect those seniors, and maybe Lauren (junior Landes), to lead us in scoring. We’re going to need them all to play well next week.”

The Arabians open sectional play Friday evening at Greenfield-Central High School, where they will play the winner of the Connersville versus New Castle first-round game. Pendleton Heights will play the first semifinal at 6 p.m.

In the final junior varsity contest, Pendleton Heights also beat Yorktown in convincing fashion by a 52-24 score. Freshman Laikyn Conner led the Arabian offense with 10 points, sophomore Kailyn Graham had nine rebounds, sophomore Leonie Wilson handed out three assists and freshman Ally Hall had five steals.

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