GBB: Arlington builds huge lead in 62-53 upset of 4A #7 Lawrence North

By
Jessica Brooks

Staff
Writer

INDIANAPOLIS
– A miraculous comeback by Class 4A No. 7 Lawrence North simply was not in the
cards Nov. 20 as the host Wildcats were upset, 62-53, by Indianapolis Arlington
in their season-opening girls basketball game.

The Golden Knights, playing with the
advantage of two previous games behind them, pushed a 30-16 halftime lead into
a 25-point canyon before a late LN rally got the final margin down to single
digits.

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A
slow-starting first quarter finished with Arlington (2-1) up 12-9, but the lead
would grow as the game progressed. The opening period was a no-score war zone
as scrappy scrambles for loose balls gave way to multiple fouls, but no points,
for several minutes.

Things
picked up in the second quarter, mostly for Arlington as its lead grew from just
three to 14 as the Golden Knights led 30-16 at halftime. Arlington then opened
the second half with an “and-one” field goal in the first eight
seconds (the free throw was good), a harbinger of bad things to come for LN as
a quick Golden Knights run suddenly pushed the lead to 25.

But
the game grew more interesting as the teams began trading back-and-forth field
goals over and over.

With
4:10 left in the third quarter, 5’8” LN junior guard Consuelo Owens hit a
3-pointer that pumped up the Wildcats and brought the deficit within 20.
Teammate Erica Beeler, a 5’6” senior guard, took her turn as well, draining a
three just a minute later.

Still,
the Golden Knights led 46-30 heading to the fourth. That’s when 5’8” sophomore
guard Chelsey Miller stepped up her game for LN, scoring seven of her nine
points. A 13-point lead shriveled to eight, but only 10 seconds remained at
that point and there was nothing else the Wildcats could do.

Beeler
led LN in scoring with 15 points and was followed closely by Owens with 14. Arlington,
meanwhile, put three players in double-digit scoring: 5’8” senior guard Lindsay
Shepherd (14 points), 5’8” junior guard Mareisha Harris (12), and 5’9” senior
forward/guard Anjelique Warren (11).

Despite
the loss, LN fans did not leave completely disappointed. The LN pep band put on
a great show, playing everything from “Hey Baby” to “Beat It,” dancing the
whole time.

Next
up for Lawrence North is a Nov. 22 road date at 3A No. 10 Indianapolis
Northwest (3-1). Arlington is off till a Nov. 29 home game against 4A No. 5
Terre Haute South.