While Monday’s All-Area All-Star girls basketball game didn’t have the drama that the boys game had, it was a chance for some of the top players from all nine area high schools to test their skills against each other on the court.
“It was really nice to get to know everyone around the community,” said Columbus East junior Katie Dougherty, who led the White team to a 71-45 win against the Red. “Everyone was really nice, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to do this. You come in not knowing what to expect, so I was kind of nervous, but it was really fun.”
Dougherty and Hauser junior Bree Hadley each scored seven points in the first quarter to boost the White to an 18-9 lead. The Red outscored the White 14-13 in the second quarter and trailed only 31-23 at halftime.
The White then outscored the Red 23-7 in the third quarter to break the game open.
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“We didn’t have any practices before this, so it was kind of a, ‘Fun-go-out-there-and-wing-it,’ and it was awesome,” said Columbus North junior Anderson, who added 11 points for the White. “It’s fun playing with different people we don’t normally get to play with. I thought we had good chemistry, and we had a lot of fun playing together, so I was happy about that.”
East senior Claire Cunningham scored nine points for the White, while South Decatur senior Madison Owens added eight points and Trinity Lutheran sophomore Sydney Jaynes and Hadley each had seven. Owens and Brown County junior Gracie Matlock each grabbed nine rebounds to lead the White to a 54-27 rebounding advantage.
East freshman Koryn Greiwe, The Republic Girls Basketball Player of the Year, led the Red with 21 points and six rebounds.
“I had to bring a lot of energy,” Greiwe said. “I was trying to get my defense because usually defense gets the offense working. I missed a few shots I should have hit, but it’s a basketball game. I’m not always going to be perfect. You have to keep improving.”
North junior Sierra Norman added nine points for the Red. Edinburgh junior Haven Link had six.
The fifth annual all-star game benefited Hauser senior Erin Newcomb, who is recovering from injuries suffered in an Aug. 29 car accident.
“Having a mix of teams and getting to meet new girls and play with different styles was really fun,” Greiwe said.
