ROCHESTER | In the postseason, teams welcome any advantage they can get.
Three-time Class 2A regional champion Fort Wayne Luers is no different.
The Knights routed Westview in Saturday's opener at Rochester and Boone Grove followed in Game 2 by easily disposing of Whiting.
"We've got about a minute to enjoy this," Boone Grove coach Candy Wilson joked afterward.
She then warned not to to scoff at the well-rested Knights' 13-11 record. Their regular-season schedule featured 19 teams that were either 3A or 4A.
That experience paid off hours later Saturday as Luers cruised to its fourth consecutive 2A title, 67-40.
"Very good team. Very quick," Wilson said. "We didn't do a good job of covering the post. Our No. 1 concern was taking care of the ball and we got a little silly there.
"Fatigue got us a little bit, but we didn't give up."
The Wolves (18-7) had four seniors on the roster, three of whom started. Paige Aguilera led them with 13 points and eight rebounds.
"You learn from who you're around and hopefully our returning players learn that passion. I'm proud of the kids. It was a great season," Wilson said.
With three freshmen on the court at times, the Knights ran away at the half, 34-13, behind ninth-grader Tashayla Sutorius' 18 points -- and a big boost from Boone's 15 turnovers.
Sutorius led the champs with 23 points, Allison Butler added 15 and freshman Emma Wolfe 11.
The Wolves' Ellie Graeber, a sophomore guard, had five points in limited action, but hopes to carry on the seniors' work ethic next season.
"They set a great example, especially Paige," Graeber said. "I learned that to win you got to go after it regardless of the score."
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