Carroll entered the Regional semi-final as decided underdogs against 22-1 and 5th ranked Wabash.  The Cougars left claw marks on the Apaches but the Apaches won the game 62-53.
    Carroll’s ladies were outscored 13-4 at the free-throw line, were out-rebounded 36-22, and shot 32% from the field.  Those three factors were too much to overcome against a scrappy and good shooting opponent.
    The Cougars opened the game quickly with six points by Jess Yoder and a three by Kate Hickner to lead 9-4 with just 3 minutes played. Wabash countered with a 12-3 run to close the quarter leading 16-12.  Wabash senior Brooklyn Short scored 11 of her game high 24 in the first quarter. Carroll’s Quinci Eller made a three at the end of the quarter to round out Carroll’s scoring.
    The second period began exactly as the first quarter ended, with Wabash making a 3-pointer, extending its lead to 19-12.  Carroll used a 10-2 run to take a brief lead at 22-21.  Wabash countered with an 8-0 run to close the quarter and lead at halftime 29-22.  Carroll used 3-pointers by Paige Barnes, Abby Reinke and Jess Yoder and a free throw by Yoder as their scoring for the period.
    In the second half, the Wabash duo of Short and Bayleigh Hensley maintained some distance from the Cougars.  Short had 7 points and Hensley added four free throws while the Cougars countered with 2 free throws by Abby Reinke, a deuce from Eller, and 4 points from Hickner. Wabash increased its lead to 40-30.
    The fourth quarter had more of the same from the Apaches with Short and Hensley scoring to keep separation from the Cougars. Eller scored 11 points in the quarter; however, Carroll could not get the defensive stops it needed to cut into the Wabash lead. Carroll used threes from Yoder, Reinke, Hickner and freshman Paige Spesard to stay within 10 throughout the quarter.  Although Wabash won the game, the Lady Cougars made the Apaches work for everything.
    Eller led Carroll with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists followed by Yoder with 13 points, six rebounds and 4 steals. Hickner added 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists; Reinke had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Barnes had 3 points and 3 rebounds and Spesard had the final 3 points.
    Carroll will send off two highly decorated seniors,  Carly Yoder and Abby Reinke. They have been instrumental in the success of this season.  They will leave as Tri-County Tournament champions, Carroll Classic champions, and three-time Sectional champions.
    Carroll will return a nucleus of players with varsity experience.  J. Yoder, Eller, Barnes, Hickner, Kaitlin Ragan, Shelbi Fisher and Spesard should give the Cougars plenty to work with next season.  With Junior Varsity teammates Storm Dreadfulwater, Macy Ropes, Hunter Cook and Courtney Benefiel gaining experience throughout the season and the incoming freshmen class, the Cougars look to re-load rather than rebuild.