4A LaPorte Regional: South Bend Washington girls looked vulnerable until until they didn't
LAPORTE ― As the South Bend Washington girls basketball team jogged back to its locker room at halftime, the thought of "this could actually happen" filled the minds of many inside Slicer Gym.
For one half, a mere 16-minute stretch of basketball, the undefeated No. 1 Panthers looked vulnerable, trailing No. 13 Valparaiso 32-24 at the half of Saturday's 4A regional final.
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They looked human, as their usual haymaker 3s and stylish layups were finding rim rather than net.
They even looked like they could actually lose for the first time in 34 games dating back more that a year.
Then, they responded like state champions they are.
Trailing by as many as 13 in the first quarter and by 10 early in the third quarter, Washington turned up the defense, holding the Vikings to nine second half points, en route to a 60-41 win and a trip to next Saturday's semi-state against a team and at a location to be determined during tomorrow's draw.
"We needed this (test)," said senior Miss Basketball candidate Rashunda Jones. "We needed this to know we have to come out stronger next time to come out on top."
Whatever panic or doubt that was felt inside that gym never crept into Washington's locker room. In there, the Panthers didn't flinch.
"We just had to get back to playing Panther basketball," Washington head coach Steve Reynolds said. "I went back to my board and said what we weren't doing. They cleaned those things up and the rest is history."
What Washington wasn't doing was stopping Valpo's Lillian Barnes, who scored 16 first half points. She would finish with 18.
"Stopping her," Washington guard Rashunda Jones said, "turned the whole game around."
As did the presence of sophomore forward Kira Reynolds, who had to sit most of the first half after picking up two quick first quarter fouls. The Vikings took advantage and built their lead. In the second half, Reynolds, the daughter of Steve, played with a spark and for something more than herself.
"I know my sister (Amiyah Reynolds) was at home watching with my mom, and I just thought we are not losing," Kira said. "She worked way too hard for us this season and she was in the back of my mind."
Senior Amiyah Reynolds, another Panther Miss Basketball candidate, was lost for the tournament after tearing ligaments in her left ankle in the regular-season finale at LuLumiere.
Kira Reynolds finished with a game-high 19 points, 12 of which came in the second half, including layups to tie the game at 36 and then give the Panthers a 38-36 lead, which they never relinquished.
"(Kira) has to play like (she did) for us to get to the state championship," Steve Reynolds said. "She answered the bell."
South Bend Washington 60, Valparaiso 41
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (60): Kira Reynolds 19, Rashunda Jones 18, Ryiah Wilson 13, Monique Mitchell 5, Zion Belcher-Arill 2, Ayanna Nicholson 2, Zeya Alexander 1.
VALPARAISO (41): Lillian Barnes 16, Skyla Dobbertin 10, Kristin Bukata 6, Raegan O'Halek 5, Mackenzie Wassermann 3, Brianna Fincannon 1.
SECOND GAME
Lake Central 42, Northridge 29
Northridge's quest for its first semi-state appearance fell short Saturday.
The Raiders scored the first four points of the game, but didn't hit another field goal in the first half. They spent the rest of the night chasing Lake Central (22-5), getting back within nine in the second half, but never having enough offensive prowess to overcome their deficit.
"We knew that was the best defensive team we were going to see all year," Northridge coach Doug Springer said. "They were extremely physical and that got us pushed off a little bit … We missed some shots we normally hit, and part of that was the defense."
Northridge did not have a player score in double figures and was led by Rielyn Goodwin with eight points. Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly led all scorers with 12 points.
Lake Central moves on to next Saturday's 4A semi-state with opponent and location determined in Sunday's IHSAA draw Sunday afternoon.
The Raiders finished the year 22-6, their most wins since 2018.
"We overachieved this season," Springer said. "There is no doubt about that, but it was because of the girls working hard, believing and trusting each other. We have a bright future."
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: No. 1 Washington looked human; Then it responded like a state champion in regional win
