Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Heritage Christian Eagles used an 11-2 run to end the third quarter and then a striking 19-0 streak near the end of the game and wrapped up a 73-53 victory over the Fort Wayne Canterbury Cavaliers in the Class 2A girls state finals. It was a matchup of the two top-ranked teams in Class 2A and two of the most decorated girls squads in the state. The high-octane Eagles broke open a close game by outscoring Canterbury by a 22-4 count in fast-break points and a 38-14 margin on points in the paint. Coach Rick Risinger's Heritage Christian team, ranked No. 1 by the ICGSA, won the 2A title for the second consecutive season and sixth time since 2006. The six crowns tie Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for the most in state girls basketball history. It was also the sixth championship for Risinger, who tied former boys basketball coach Bill Green (Marion and Indianapolis Washington) for the most in the sport in state history. The Eagles finished 28-2. They were led in scoring by Tyasha Harris with 20 points. Katlyn Gilbert and Peyton Fallis each contributed 13 while Sydney Hall had 11. Hannah Williams led the Eagles with nine rebounds. Coach Wayne Kreiger's Cavaliers, who were ranked No. 2, finished 23-3. They were playing in their fourth consecutive state championship game after recently winning their eighth straight regional crown, a state record. Darby Maggard led the Cavaliers' scoring with 16. Mason VanHouten scored 11 and Lilly Peters had 10. Katherine Smith grabbed 17 rebounds, which tied a 2A final record. Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Darby Maggard of Fort Wayne Canterbury High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A Girls Basketball. The award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. Darby embodies the true meaning of student-athlete. Not only does she shine on the court, she also excels in the classroom where she has earned a 3.64 GPA. Darby is an active member in her church, volunteers in her community, coaching young ladies in Whitley County and providing food to families in need. She is the daughter of James and DeeDee Maggard of Larwill, Ind. and plans to major in psychology or business at Belmont University next fall where she has signed to play basketball. The Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Fort Wayne Canterbury High School in the name of Darby Maggard. Since 1989, more than $840,000 in college scholarships have been presented to deserving high school athletes in Indiana. The award is named in honor of the former IHSAA assistant commissioner Patricia L. Roy, who oversaw the girls basketball state tournament from its inception in 1976 until her retirement in 1999.

• published: 08 Mar 2016
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