Girls Basketball: Lowell turns up the defense on Boone Grove

LOWELL — Katie Antcliff warned her team about the versatility of Boone Grove’s players.

Considering their defensive effort against the Class 2A No. 6 Wolves Tuesday night, it’s safe to say the Red Devils (14-3) heeded their coach’s warning.

Lowell limited the Wolves (16-2) to only three baskets and 11 points in the second half and ran away with a 56-38 victory.

After trailing only 32-27 at halftime, the Wolves found themselves down 18 points (53-35) late in the second half.

The loss ended the Wolves’ nine-game winning streak and was their first setback since losing at Bowman Academy, Dec. 8.

“We told our kids that all of their starters can shoot the three and drive and hit the shot, so you had better be ready,” Antcliff said.

“We told them at halftime not to let down on this team, because they can get hot at any time.”

Lowell guards Kalyne Godbolt and Sarah Wietbrock did a solid job on the Wolves’ Emily Bobrowski and Brittany Shaffer, especially after the first period.

Bobrowski ended up with 12 points, but had only a pair of treys in the final 24 minutes. Shaffer, meanwhile, made only one field goal and scored five points, including only one point in the final 24 minutes.

Claudia Cooper scored only two points, while Paige Aguilera scored just four. Katie Bobos led Lowell with 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Godbolt added 14 points — nine in the second half — and had five steals.

Lowell center MacKenzie Kreutz scored 12 points, before fouling out late in the final quarter, while freshman Sydney Barta grabbed nine rebounds.

It was a tough night, especially in the second half, for the Porter County Conference Tournament champions, who appeared to be a little fatigued.

“There are no excuses,” Boone coach Candy Wilson said. “We have to learn how to fight past the fatigue and still play well.

“We didn’t come into the first quarter ready to play, and I think it set a bad tone for us. We let them get behind us and didn’t react to it. Our starters were a little sleepy at the beginning and we can’t (come into a game) and do that.

“We just looked like we were on another planet half the time. This was a reality check for us. They have to step it up if we’re goint to get anywhere in the postseason.”

Brittany Slicer was the only other player aside from Bobrowski to score in double figures for the Wolves.

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