Whitko Girls Extend Win StreakSOUTH WHITLEY – Top-ranked Whitko (2A) used a balanced team effort to defeat visiting Fort Wayne Northrop 66-62 Wednesday night. All eight Lady Wildcat players who appeared in the game scored, led by senior Aly Reiff’s 22 points. But more than that, each of the eight players made a key contribution in the fourth quarter, according to Whitko head coach Brandon Bradley. “I thought we had a very balanced game, both good and bad. We had some things exposed at both ends of the floor, but they all made key plays down the stretch,” he said. “They either did something great defensively, got a loose ball, got fouled and made their free throws, or something to help us win the game. I thought our bench was really good, and helped our starters out quite a bit. “At the same time, we’re still trying to learn as a team, and we have a lot of work to do.” Senior Brianna Cumberland had 12 points, including a 5-of-7 effort from the free throw line, for Whitko. Ellie Snep and Hanna Yohe had eight points each, and Kennedy Krull tossed in seven for the Lady Wildcats. In spite of the Lady Bruins’ record, now 2-4, Bradley had a lot of respect for the Class 4A team. “Northrop is really, really good. They play a (tough) schedule like we do, Other than Homestead, I don’t think there’s a team in Fort Wayne they can’t beat. I’d hate to play them in the postseason.” The victory extends the Lady Wildcats’ win streak to eight to start the season, and ties the longest win streak in school history. Whitko will try to extend the streak Saturday night when it hosts Three Rivers Conference foe North Miami. The Lady Warriors are 5-2 coming in to Saturday’s game.
