By Brady Extin | The Times-Post

LAPEL — Close games are nothing new to the Lapel girls basketball team, and that experience in those types of games has paid off.

Since a 51-50 loss to University on Jan. 21 the Bulldogs have won their last five games by an average of less than 5 points per game, including three straight sectional wins by six points, two points and five points.

Saturday’s win may have been their closest — and sweetest — victory yet.

In the Class 2A Regional 19 championship, the Bulldogs (20-7) knocked off Eastbrook (19-6) by a score of 39-37 to secure the school’s first regional title since 2007.

Against the Sectional 39 champs, the Bulldogs were in for a fight.

A back-and-forth beginning to the game swayed towards Eastbrook’s favor after a 9-3 run put Lapel down 17-11. But two Lapel runs later, they found themselves in the driver’s seat.

A Maddy Poynter 3-pointer sparked a 9-0 Lapel run to close out the first half and allowed them to enter halftime with a 20-17 lead.

After an Olivia Howell basket pulled Eastbrook back within one, the Bulldogs reeled off the second run. Two Deannaya Haseman baskets and free throw were the catalyst to the Bulldogs 9-2 run and eventual 29-21 lead, their biggest of the game.

But as Lapel players, coaches and fans have become accustomed to, the game wouldn’t be decided that easily.

Early in the fourth quarter, a Panthers’ basket cut the lead back down to five, 35-30, but a slow-paced final period from Lapel held the Panthers at bay until free throws could seal their first regional title in 16 years.

In the final minute and a half, it was Lapel senior guard Kerith Renihan knocking down four free throws to put Lapel ahead 39-32.

After two Howell free throws and a Sophia Morrison 3-pointer, the Panthers pulled back within two with the clock winding down and had two final chances to tie the game.

A missed layup from Howell and immediate foul of Lapel’s leading scorer Laniah Wills sent her to the line, but a miss on the front end of the one-and-one gave Eastbrook one more chance.

This time, it was the Panthers’ Morrison drawing the foul just before the final buzzer, but a miss on the first attempt all but gave Lapel the win.

Wills led the Bulldogs with 12 points, Poynter had 10 and Haseman scored 9.

The Panthers were led by Howell and Morrison with 14 and 13, respectively.

Lapel’s semistate destination and opponent were set at a drawing held last Sunday. The Bulldogs will be traveling to Logansport to face fourth-ranked Andrean (25-3) in the first semifinal at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by Lafayette Central Catholic (20-6) vs. Central Noble (25-2). The championship game will be played at 8 p.m.