THURSDAY'S PREP ROUNDUP: Lake Central downs Portage in girls basketball

Nikki Adams scored 14 points, and Lizzie Seymour contributed 11 as the Lake Central girls basketball team downed host Portage 55-36 in a Duneland Athletic Conference finale Thursday.

L.C. (11-9, 7-7), which lost to Portage earlier in the season, also got 10 points from Jessica Bell. Hannah Glos posted nine points and five rebounds for Portage (5-17, 2-12).

Whiting 54, Clark 11: It was all Oilers (16-5) all the time in their last game before sectionals tip off. Citlali Lopez and Isabel Sandoval each scored 13 points. Teammate Abby Bondi chipped in 11. The Whiting defense held the Pioneers (1-19) to just three points in the second half.

Lake Station 52, Westville 33: Joanna Dwyer scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds to lead the host Eagles (6-13) to the win. Amber Dwyer scored 16 for Lake Station. Desiree Parillo scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Eagles.

Westville (4-15) was led by Shelly Cunningham's nine points.

Lowell 73, Hebron 33: Katie Bobos' 20 points powered the No. 2 Red Devils' rout of the Hawks. Mackenzie Kreutz (12), Carley Austgen (11) and Sydney Barta (10) also reached double figures for Lowell (17-3).

Hebron (8-11) got eight points each from Christy Reick and Lauren Carlson.

Griffith 55, Calumet 19: The Times No. 6 Panthers (15-6) received 13 points from Sammi Adams and 12 from Taylor Austin. The Warriors (6-14) got 10 points from Theresa Strong.

Hobart 54, Gavit 28: Grayce Roach had a team-high 15 points for the Brickies (11-11). Autumn Beal added 13 points for Hobart on the road. The Gladiators (9-11) were led by BreAnne Misner's 14 points and eight rebounds.

Gymnastics

Portage 111.425, Merrillville 106.225: The Indians set a team record in downing the Pirates in a DAC dual. Leading the way for Portage was Mackenzie Barcelli, who placed first on uneven bars (9.3), floor exercise (9.575) and all-around (37.475).

The Indians swept the top three all-around spots with Danielle Solis (36.925) and Madison Kurtz (36.225) following Barcelli.

Merrillville's Amy Aponte (9.5) won balance beam, and Taylor Woods (9.35) took vault.

News and Notes

Wheeler's Finch picks IUN: Wheeler senior Paige Finch has committed to play basketball for Indiana Northwest.

The 6-foot Finch is averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds a game for the 15-5 Bearcats, the Greater South Shore Conference tournament champions. She is also shooting 61 percent from the floor.

"As an outstanding student and teammate, Paige represents all of the characteristics that we value within our basketball program," IUN coach Ryan Shelton said in a media release. "She is a great player and brings a physical presence. We expect her to make an immediate impact."

Finch plans to study nursing.

South Central to hire Foster: South Central stayed close to home in finding its next football coach.

Bob Foster, a 2005 South Central graduate who has been working as the Satellites' offensive line coach, has been recommended for the position.

Foster takes over for Mel Hay, who served as head coach on an interim basis this season after Jeff Karras took an assistant's position at Michigan City.

The hiring will be formalized at a Feb. 14 school board meeting.

Meet the Vikes Night: Saturday's Valparaiso boys basketball game against Bishop Noll will be Meet The Vikes Night. Students in grades kindergarten through five accompanied by an adult will be admitted free. Children will get a chance to meet the members of the team following the game.