GBB REG. 7: 3A #1 Rushville thumps Western Boone, Roncalli for crown

FORTVILLE – Class 3A top-ranked Rushville claimed the Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Regional title Feb, 20 with a 50-38 victory over No. 12 Roncalli. The triumph brings the Lions one step closer to an elusive state title and sets up a Bedford North Lawrence Semistate affair with No. 5 Evansville Memorial this coming Saturday.

Hoosier Authority attended what appeared on paper to be the marquee contest of this regional, Rushville’s semifinal battle with Western Boone. Having covered the Lions in their sectional championship game with Hamilton Heights, it is unusual for us to report on the same team two games in a row. 

However, it is hard not to get caught up in what this Rush County community so obviously believes is a pursuit of destiny. After Saturday morning, the Stars would probably not argue that assessment after Rushville dispatched the Stars, 69-52.

Western Boone entered the game 18-4 overall and fresh from a sectional where it had downed 11th-ranked Crawfordsville for the second time this season. The Stars were led by Indiana Junior All-Star candidate Brandy Woody. 

It took little time for the Rushville defense to set the tone of this one. The Lions spent most of the first half smothering the Stars in the half court and making dribbling the ball a chore on each and every trip. Rushville raced to a 19-6 advantage after one quarter and a 34-17 margin at halftime. 

That was despite senior leader Shelbie Justice fighting first-half foul trouble.

It seemed Rushville was on the brink of putting the game entirely out of reach when the Lions increased the lead to 40-20 midway through the third quarter. The Stars weren’t ready to go quite that quietly, though. 

Western Boone hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 13-6 closing run that cut the margin to 46-33 heading into the final period. And WeBo wasn’t done. 

The Stars used another run, this one 11-2 midway through the fourth, to close within 60-51 with 2:42 to play. The charge was fueled by a full-court press that obviously gave Rushville some problems. 

But it takes more than a few problems to shake this Lions squad. Rushville connected on successive baskets in the next 40 seconds to finally put the verdict to rest. 

As usual, it was the incredible balance on offense that spurred Rushville. The Lions placed four players in double figures, led by Alexa Bess with 19 points. Morgan Herbert added 17, while Justice had 16 and Morgan Hittle 11. 

Woody led Western Boone with 18 points, most of those in a stellar second-half performance. She was aided by 17 markers from sophomore Sarah Brewer.

Should Rushville advance past Evansville Memorial – what looks to be the marquee game of the eight-game semistate round – the Lions would face the winner of the 3A Elkhart Central Semistate battle between No. 14 Griffith (19-5) and No. 8 Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (22-3) for the state championship March 6 in Fort Wayne.

Game 1 – #1 Rushville 69, Western Boone 52

Game 2 – #12 Roncalli 45, Greensburg 42

Championship – #1 Rushville 50, #12 Roncalli 38

1A – #7 Waldron (22-3) vs. #1 Vincennes Rivet (25-0). 1p ET

3A – #1 Rushville (24-2) vs. #5 Evansville Memorial (23-3). To follow