Olivia Johnson
BLOOMINGTON — Columbus North put together multiple charges to whittle down Bloomington North leads Friday night, but the Cougars were able to withstand each and hold on for a 51-44 win in a battle for the Conference Indiana girls basketball title.
Bloomington North (16-5, 4-0) clinched at least a share of the crown and can win it outright with a victory Thursday at Terre Haute North. The Bull Dogs (10-11, 4-1) had gone unbeaten in winning conference titles the past three years.
Columbus North’s only lead came at 14-13 on an Olivia Johnson 3-pointer in the opening minute of the second quarter. The Cougars built a 29-22 lead early in the third period, only to see the Bull Dogs get back within 33-32 on a Miley McClellan basket late in the quarter.
Bloomington North stretched the lead back to 47-37 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game. Columbus North came as close as 48-44 on a McClellan basket with 53 seconds left, but the Cougars made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 45 seconds to ice it.
Olivia Johnson and McClellan each finished with 11 points to lead the Bull Dogs. Avery Johnson added seven points and eight rebounds, and Sydney Johnson also scored seven points.
Bloomington North 51, Columbus North 44
Columbus North;11;10;11;12;—;44
Bloomington North;13;11;13;14;—;51
Columbus North (10-11, 4-1): Ava Wilson 0 0-0 0, Olivia Johnson 4 1-2 11, Kaylie Harmon 2 3-4 8, Paige Terry 0 0-0 0, Kaitlin White 0 0-0 0, Miley McClellan 5 1-3 11, Avery Johnson 3 1-2 7, Sydney Johnson 3 0-0 7. Totals: 17 6-11 44.
Bloomington North (16-5, 4-0): Ashley Stegemoller 4 5-9 13, Audrey Burton 1 0-0 2, Ava Reitmeyer 2 1-3 6, Ellie Livingston 0 0-0 0, Mia Robbenolt 6 8-10 23, Ava Robbenolt 2 1-2 7. Totals: 15 15-25 51.
3-point goals: Columbus North 4 (O. Johnson 2, Harmon, S. Johnson); Bloomington North 6 (M. Robbenolt 3, A. Robbenolt 2, Reitmeyer).
