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Sometimes statistics tell the story better than words. That was the case Friday night in the Class 3A Bishop Dwenger semifinal between Garrett and Angola.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Railroaders had more turnovers (19) than points (18).
That stat alone best explains Angola's 50-27 victory that moves the Hornets into the championship today at 7:30 p.m.
Garrett (16-7) finished with 23 turnovers.
“We knew if we kept the pressure on them they would begin to turn the ball over and be impatient,” Angola coach John Berger said. “We were a little shaky at the beginning shooting the ball, but felt like we were in control of the tempo (early) with our defensive pressure.”
The Hornets (19-3) limited or completely took away every Garrett offensive strength. Brandi Dawson's ability to get to the basket on the dribble drive was halted with the exception of two possessions as the junior finished with a team-high 13 points, the only Railroader in double figures.
Point guard Kaitlin Wisel, the catalyst for Garrett' half-court offense, never was able to get into a comfort zone while setting up her teammates, finishing with eight turnovers.
Perhaps the biggest achievement was limiting 6-foot center Taylor Smith to just two points and three rebounds with a combination of collapsing into the paint and getting the freshman into foul trouble.
All of that combined to hold Garrett to its lowest point total since a 29-25 loss to Fairfield in regionals in 2011.
“We just kept the pressure on them,” Berger said. “Things just kept escalating (defensively) and it was good to see.”
Angola's lead was seven at halftime, but 9-0 run midway through the third put the game away. All nine points came from sophomore Claire Grubb on three 3-pointers.
Grubb finished with a team-high 11 points.
The Hornets now get a shot at Concordia Lutheran once again, the program that beat Angola for the sectional crown two years ago.
“They beat us here in (Bishop Dwenger's gym), so it is exciting to play them again,” Berger said. “Concordia has all the confidence in the world since they are the defending state champions. Two years ago we didn't have the confidence, but I think we have the confidence this year.”
Tip-off for tonight's sectional final is scheduled for 7 p.m.
ANGOLA 50, GARRETT 27
Angola 8 10 17 15-50
Garrett 7 4 7 9-27
Angola: Scott 2, Grubb 11, Lopshire 3, Rachel Rinehart 10, Bidlack 9, Beard 6, Ericka Rinehart 9.
Garrett: Smith 2, DePew 2, Oliver 5, Dawson 13, Wisel 5.
IHSAA Girl's Basketball Sectional Pairings
Class 4A
Snider
Tuesday
Northrop 45, DeKalb 43, OT
Wednesday
Carroll (9-11) 65, Columbia City 57
Snider 62, East Noble 35
Friday
Northrop 53, North Side 33
Snider 69, Carroll 35
Today
Northrop (8-13) vs. Snider (19-3), 7:30 p.m.
Homestead
Tuesday
South Side 61, Wayne 30
Homestead 80, Jay County 36
Friday
South Side 50, New Haven 18
Homestead 43, Huntington North 35
Today
South Side (20-3) vs. Homestead (21-3), 7:30 p.m.
Class 3A
Bishop Dwenger
Tuesday
Concordia Lutheran 58, Leo 41
Garrett 60, Woodlan 45
Friday
Concordia Lutheran 60, Bishop Dwenger 42
Angola 50, Garrett 27
Today
Concordia Lutheran (16-6) vs. Angola (19-3)
Mississinewa
Tuesday
Norwell 87, Mississinewa 47
Heritage 61, Bellmont 49
Friday
Norwell 61, Eastbrook 40
Heritage 67, Whitko 62
Today
Norwell (20-3) vs. Heritage (14-8), 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A
Bluffton
Tuesday
Bishop Luers 69, Adams Central 41
South Adams 41, Bluffton 37
Friday
Bishop Luers 69, Eastside 37
South Adams 34, Churubusco 25
Today
Bishop Luers (11-11) vs. South Adams (9-12), 7 p.m.
Class A
Canterbury
Tuesday
Hamilton 48, Lakeland Christian 25
Bethany Christian 74, Howe School 26
Wednesday
Lakewood Park 74, Elkhart Christian 35
Canterbury 80, Blackhawk Christian 27
Friday
Bethany Christian 49, Hamilton 37
Canterbury 100, Lakewood Park 50
Today
Bethany Christian (13-9) vs. Canterbury (20-3), 7:30 p.m.
