Northeastern Head Coach Princess Darnell talks with Madi Clay.
FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – Northeastern’s girls basketball team opened the season at home against Knightstown on Friday, Nov. 6.
After a tight first half, the Panthers pulled away from the Knights in the third quarter on their way to a 46-29 victory.
“I’m really proud,” first-year Northeastern Head Coach Princess Darnell said. “I think we showed a lot of people we have of potential, if we keep doing the right things.”
Tatum Jordan led the Knights (0-1) with eight points and 13 rebounds. Lauren York added six points with a pair of 3-pointers.
Brooke Vise scored 21 points for the Panthers (1-0), while grabbing 13 rebounds.
Northeastern started quickly with the first seven points of the contest in Larry Moore Gymnasium, but Knightstown was able to answer to lead 10-9 after one period.
Knightstown worked its way to a 20-11 advantage midway through the second stanza, but the Knights closed the gap before halftime as they trailed 21-17 at the intermission.
In the third period, the Panthers built a 36-19 lead to take control of the contest.
“I see the big picture,” Darnell said. “We have a long season ahead of us and I think our shots will fall over time.”
Darnell said nerves played a role for many of the Knights.
“This was their first time playing a full varsity game,” she said of several of the Knights.
Knightstown won the junior varsity contest 26-21. Lena Smith led Northeastern with six points.
Northeastern returns to action at Franklin County on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Box Score
KNIGHTSTOWN (1-0) – Brooke Vise 7 7-11 21, Jordan Ventresco 2 1-2 5, Lacy Thomas 2 0-0 4, Lori Thomas 2 2-2 6, Hannah Thomas 2 2-4 6, Carmen Cleek 0 0-2 0, Dharma Holder 0 1-2 1, Allyson Hauk 1 0-0 3, Rachel Dickerson 0 0-1 0, Jessica Butler 0 0-0 0. Team – 16 13-25 46.
NORTHEASTERN (0-1) – Madi Clay 1 0-0 3, Tatum Jordan 3 2-2 8, Mikayla Hornung 2 0-0 4, Lauren York 2 0-0 6, Chaise Helton 0 0-0 0, Leah Hoskins 1 0-1 4, Kasey Andrews 2 0-0 4. Team – 12 2-3 29
Knightstown 10 21 36 46
Northeastern 9 17 19 29
3-pointers – Knightstown 1 (Hauk), Northeastern 3 (York 2, Clay). Rebounds – Knightstown 39 (Vise 13), Northeastern 31 (Jordan 13). Turnovers – Knightstown 14, Northeastern 13.