By Jessica
Brooks
Staff
Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – Three-time Class 2A defending
state champion Heritage Christian started off its road to a four-peat in strong
fashion Nov. 11 with a 77-62 victory over Indianapolis Northwest.
The
Eagles, ranked second in the IBCA preseason poll to Ben Davis, took control early
in outscoring Northwest 17-5 in the first quarter. Northwest picked up the
intensity in the second quarter with 21 points, but Heritage countered with 26 of
its own to lead 43-26 at halftime.
Both
teams tallied 18 points as the hectic back-and-forth pace continued in the
third period, and the Eagles maintained a comfortable margin the rest of the
way.
Shining
brightly despite the defeat were two Northwest seniors, 5’3” guard Cierra
Dotson and 5’10” forward Talaya Earls. Dotson scored a game-high 33 points, while
Earls added 18 for the Space Pioneers, who finished last season at No. 14 in
the 3A polls.
Heritage
Christian sports a starting lineup of four seniors this year, including 5’11” Miss
Basketball candidate Kelly Faris. The University of Connecticut-bound forward averaged
12 points per game last season while also leading the Eagles with averages of
8.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.6 steals.
The
other Eagles returning for their senior seasons are 5’9” starting guards Claire
Freeman and Emily Anderson as well as 5’4” guard Alyssa Burton and 5’6” guard Meredith
Martin. Junior forward Kaycee Jones (5’9”) and 6’2” sophomore center Liz
Stratman round out the starting lineup for four-year coach Rick Risinger.
Freeman
led the Eagles on opening night with 15 points, followed by Stratman (14),
Anderson (13), and Faris (10).
Next
up for Heritage Christian, which is sure to be ranked No. 1 in 2A whenever the
coaches’ polls are finally released, is a Nov. 15 road trip to five-time state
champion Fort Wayne Luers.
Northwest,
meanwhile, will travel to Lawrence Central Nov. 14.
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