Girls Basketball: No late-game heroics this time for Griffith

Updated: February 18, 2012 9:41PM

RENSSELAER — In last year’s Class 3A regional semifinal, Griffith’s Sammi Adams hit the game-winning shot with about a second left to eliminate Culver Academies before the Panthers lost to Benton Central in the final.

On Saturday, she was in a similar position in the same place with her team down three points to South Bend St. Joseph’s in the final seconds.

She launched a 3-pointer with about two seconds remaining, and it was perfectly on line with good rotation. But this time, it was a little short, and St. Joseph’s hung on for a 34-31 victory over Griffith.

That frantic finish capped an entertaining fourth quarter after the teams had only combined for 41 points through three periods.

Those first three quarters consisted of some uncharacteristic sloppy play from the Panthers (18-7) with 18 turnovers (six in each of the three quarters), as well as some poor shooting.

“We just didn’t do a good job of taking care of the ball,” Griffith coach Tom Golumbeck said. “I thought our defense kept us in the game. We just couldn’t get over the hump. When you’re turning the ball over and not shooting well, that happens.”

The Panthers got close several times. They trailed by as many as eight in the second quarter before Brooke Brinkley’s basket with 4:41 left in the game gave Griffith its first lead that only lasted about a minute.

Then the Panthers turned up the heat by pressing and trapping, two things St. Joseph’s (18-6) did during the first three quarters. It led to 11 turnovers and some easy chances for Griffith, but only two field goals were made in the final eight minutes.

“I’m really proud of them,” Golumbeck said. “They’re a tough bunch of kids who competed till the end.”

Alyssa Gebo led the Panthers with 11 points while Adams had nine points, 13 rebounds and five steals. Michelle Weaver led St. Joseph’s with 19 points.

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