WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | South Central used the strength of its inside game and pulled away in the second half from LaCrosse to capture the Mid Winter Classic at Washington Township on a snowy Thursday night.
South Central improved to 7-3 with a 43-34 victory to grab the trophy.
The Satellites got 15 points and eight rebounds from freshman forward Riley Popplewell and 11 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots from junior Jill Rosenbaum.
“You’ve got to stay with what got you here, and our inside game has been there all year,” South Central coach Rick Budka said.
South Central led 28-21 and began to pull away in the fourth quarter as Popplewell scored eight points in the quarter. The Satellites took their biggest lead at 40-29 late in the game.
Popplewell was named the tournament MVP.
“She’s got a great compliment in Jill Rosenbaum and that takes the pressure off,” Budka said. “Riley is a great hustler and has a great attitude.”
South Central led 12-8 after one quarter as Kylee Nunemaker scored five points and Katelyn Tucker hit a three.
The Satellites took a 20-13 advantage midway through the second quarter on a bucket by Rosenbaum. LaCrosse battled back on a basket by Hannah Terry and two free throws from Naomi Culver to pull within 21-17 at the break.
In the consolation game, host Washington Township upended Westville, 56-37.
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