The Lady Cougars entered their game Monday evening against Sheridan with a 1-2 mark, looking to get to .500 for the young season. Their goal was accomplished with a feisty second half performance, posting a 45-36 win against the Lady Blackhawks.

The first half of the game was slow and plodding as neither squad could muster much offense. Cold shooting kept the Cougars from building a lead. However, excellent defense by the Cougars kept Sheridan from getting any separation. Sheridan led 13- 11 at the end of one quarter and 17-15 at halftime.

The third quarter saw two different teams emerge from the halftime break. Carroll came out with more energy on both ends of the floor. Aggressive drives to the basket led to lay-ups and fouls on the visitors. The Lady Blackhawks were able to keep pace through the first 3 minutes of the third quarter until sophomore Jess Yoder hit a 3- pointer with 3:40 to play and gave the Cougars the lead 26- 24.

The Cougars would not trail again. Sheridan turned the ball over on their next possession and Abby Reinke scored on an inbounds play building the Cougars' lead to 28-24. Two free throws and a 3 pointer by Yoder gave the Cougars a 33-26 lead at the break.

The fourth quarter saw much of the same action. Carroll repeatedly drove to the basket and either scored or was fouled. The Cougar lead grew to 45-28 with just over two minutes to play. Coach Mike McCroskey emptied his bench and the reserves finished the game.

Carroll turned the ball over several times in the final two minutes; however, the outcome was already decided. Yoder finished with a game high 20 points, followed by 12 from Reinke and 9 from Quinci Eller. The Cougars out-rebounded the Blackhawks 25-18 for the game.

Both varsity squads host county rival Delphi Wednesday evening. The ladies tip at 6:30 p.m. and the boys follow at 8. These should be excellent games.

Settle for tourney runner-up

The Lady Cougars tipped off the Tri-County tournament against the North Newton Spartans. The Cougars pounced on the Spartans early with a press that resulted in steals and lay-ups for a first quarter lead at 22-11. Yoder led the way with 6 steals and 20 points for the game. The Cougars cooled from the floor in the middle two quarters and allowed the Spartans to close the gap. Carroll led 34-27 at half and 41-39 at the end of three. The fourth quarter saw the Cougars run away from the Spartans, outscoring them by 10 in the quarter and winning the game 58-46.

Following Yoder in the scoring column was Eller with 18 points and 7 rebounds and a double-double by junior Reinke with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The win put the Cougars in the championship game against the host Tri- County Cavaliers.

Carroll started the championship game the way it ended the semifinal, shooting poorly from the floor. The Lady Cougars led 6-2 at the end of one and 12-8 at halftime. Yoder and Eller had 5 first half points apiece.

The second half was fasterpaced and favored the Cougars early as they expanded their lead to 18-8 with 6:17 left in the third quarter. Tri-County was able to cut into the Cougar lead by the end of the quarter, but Carroll held a 24-22 lead at the quarter break.

The fourth quarter saw the most exciting action of the entire day as Tri-County freshman Megan Dixon scored six points. Tri-County tied the game at 27-27 with 5:56 left to play. Carroll called a time-out to reset their game plan. The Cougars came out in full-court pressure. Tri-County missed a shot and Carroll rebounded the miss. Eller fed Reinke for a 3-pointer and Tri-County answered with a two. Carroll led 30-29. A two-point basket between two 3-pointers by Tri- County gave the Cavaliers the lead at 35-32 with 2:17 left to play. Reinke fed Eller for two followed by a miss for Tri- County. Carroll rebounded and Eller drove to the basket and was fouled. Eller made both free throws and gave the Cougars the lead at 36-35.

The game went back-and forth until Tri-County missed a shot under the basket and was fouled with 13 seconds left. TC made both free throws to lead 37-36. Eller missed a driving left-handed lay-up with 1 second left and Tri-County rebounded. A foul by Carroll and a missed free throw by Tri-County ended the game. Carroll was led in scoring by Eller with 13 and Reinke with 10.