FORTVILLE — There was no slow start Tuesday night for Greenfield-Central.
With star junior Hannah Farrell kept in check for the first half, the Cougars’ lone starting senior took matters into her own hands.
Lydia McIntire, one of two total seniors on the Greenfield-Central roster, scored the first 11 points of the game for her team on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting, helping pace the Cougars to a big early lead against Richmond in a sectional opener.
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That gave the Cougars confidence. They went into the half with an 11-point lead, and a third-quarter shutout put the game away. Greenfield-Central advanced to Friday’s sectional semifinal game against New Palestine with a 51-22 win at Mt. Vernon.
“One of the first things I said at halftime was, the passes to Lydia were awesome,” Greenfield-Central coach Bradley Key said. “Her teammates were getting her in good spots where all she had to do was turn and square, and then she was completing the play. That’s exactly what Lydia can do. She was huge for us. If they’re going to take away Hannah, you’ve got to have some other players play. Lyd stepped up, and I thought other players did a great job of getting Lydia the ball in good situations.”
McIntire led the way for the Cougars with 15 points and also grabbed two rebounds. Farrell had 12 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Addie Hill also scored 12, and had four rebounds, two steals and two assists. Crystal Peterson scored eight and had three assists and a pair of rebounds.
While Farrell was held to two points in the first half, the rest of the Cougars stepped up.
“I told Hannah earlier in the season that our goal is to make sure our other four are good enough that we can survive without her,” Key said. “Earlier in the year we couldn’t have. There’s no way. Tonight, I thought Crystal was outstanding, Lydia was great, Addie did work, Keryna (Barrett) and Brooke (Herrell) are getting better and better. That was a good team win. That’s what you strive for. I think we’ve come a long way. I’m really proud. To get 10 wins with that team, and we’re playing Friday night in sectional, that’s just great.”
The difference in this game compared to many for the Cougars this season was a sustained, four-quarter effort.
The Cougars defense held the Red Devils to less than eight points in each quarter. They pitched a shutout in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 11-0 to slam the door shut on a sectional win.
The win gets the Cougars a rematch with New Palestine, a county rival they lost to on Dec. 7, 56-36. The winner moves on to Saturday’s sectional championship, where either host Mt. Vernon or Pendleton Heights awaits.
The final score in the regular season may have been lopsided, but the last time the Cougars and Dragons squared off, it was a tie game at the half. The Cougars didn’t put together a full four quarters in that defeat.
Because they did on Tuesday night against Richmond, they get another chance to topple the Dragons.
“All you want to do is get a shot at a team like New Pal,” Key said. “They’re 20-2, one of the better teams in this area. Heck, in 4A. They’re great. They’re as good as you’ll find. Anytime you have a ton of seniors, it’s just hard to beat that. But we’re going to come and give our best effort. We’re excited for the opportunity to play a great team on Friday.”
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Greenfield-Central 51, Richmond 22
Greenfield-Central;13;13;11;14;—;51
Richmond;7;8;0;7;—;22
Greenfield-Central (10-13): Hannah Farrell 6 0-0 12, Crystal Peterson 3 0-0 8, Addie Hill 4 2-2 12, Lydia McIntire 8 0-0 15, Keryna Barrett 0 0-0 0, Brooke Herrell 0 0-0 0, Haley Arthur 0 0-0 0, Zoe Solis 0 2-2 2. Totals: 21 4-4 51.
Richmond (5-19): Kierra Wright 3 0-0 7, Zoee Woolridge 1 0-0 2, Ajah Orr 2 2-4 7, Jakaia Lotz 0 0-0 0, Alayha Allen 3 0-0 6, Nakala Bennett 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Mullins 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2-6 22.
3-point goals: Greenfield-Central 5 (Hill 2, Peterson 2, McIntire), Richmond 2 (Orr, Wright).
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