LOGANSPORT — In a procession, each of Crown Point’s five seniors exited the game Saturday night.
Guard Jessica Carrothers, guard Alyvia Santiago, forward Mariana Maldonado, forward Nikki Gerodemos and forward Lilly Stoddard each exchanged a hug with coach Chris Seibert.
The Bulldogs’ 62-41 loss to Noblesville in the Class 4A Logansport Semistate was not the way they wanted their careers to end. But over four seasons, led by stars Carrothers and Stoddard, they created an indelible legacy.
“It’s going to take time,” Seibert said. “They’re in the heat of the moment right now. We did some things right. There were things we could’ve done better. But now’s not the time to talk about that.
“Now’s the time to celebrate those kids, to love those kids and to tell them how important they are and how proud we are of them. That’s really what matters at the end of the day. It’s much bigger than one basketball game.”
Though Noblesville (24-4) was overwhelming, Crown Point (24-4) had a stellar run over four seasons, including the 2021 state championship, the program’s first since going back to back in 1984 and 1985. The Bulldogs went 103-7, with four straight titles and a 28-0 record in the Duneland Athletic Conference and a 42-0 home record. They won four sectional titles and three regional titles and went undefeated against Region opponents.
“I came in as a freshman, and I didn’t know how things were going to go,” Carrothers said. “Over the last four years, these girls turned into my family. I’m really sad this is our last game. But I’m also glad I got to spend the last four years with this group.
“I want to be remembered as a team that didn’t care who our opponent was. We were out there together and fighting together and doing the best we could.”
Noblesville, which also defeated Crown Point 57-32 in a tournament on Dec. 22, broke open this game by outscoring the Bulldogs 19-1 from the last basket of the first quarter until the 3:39 mark of the second quarter. At that point, the Millers led 33-15.
Junior guard Brooke Lindesmith scored the last basket of the first half, and the Bulldogs scored the first seven points of the third quarter to draw to 42-27. Sophomore forward Ava Ziolkowski hit a 3-pointer with 7:13 left in the fourth to make it 47-33. But their deficit was too great.
“We never gave up,” Stoddard said. “We wanted to leave everything on the court, and we did that. Everyone fought and did their best. They were just a tough team.”
Crown Point’s spirit didn’t surprise Seibert.
“These kids are champions,” he said. “They’re defending state champions. They were not going to give this up easily. They were going to fight. They were going to battle. We just couldn’t get enough stops to do it.”
Carrothers, an IUPUI recruit, led Crown Point with 10 points to finish with 2,335 in her career, which ranks 16th in state history. Stoddard, a Purdue recruit, added seven points.
Junior guard Emily Phillips had nine points on three 3-pointers, and Ziolkowski added eight points, including two 3-pointers.
“I’m very blessed to be a part of this team with this group of girls,” Stoddard said. “I feel like we’ve gotten a lot closer over the four years. We’ll still hang out together. It’s a lot of fun.
“I’m really proud of them. It was a tough game, but we stuck together. We held our heads high.”
Junior guard Ashlynn Shade, a UConn recruit, had a game-high 23 points for Noblesville. Sophomore guard Reagan Wilson added 16.
“Give them all the credit in the world,” Seibert said of Noblesville. “They are fantastic. They are so much more than just Ashlynn Shade. She is unbelievable.
“But it’s everyone else that makes them so dangerous. They all fill their roles so well. They’re all extremely skilled and talented. They’re a matchup nightmare for any team.”
So was Crown Point for virtually four seasons.
“I told these kids how proud we were of them — for what they’ve done for Lady Bulldog basketball, to bring the excitement back, to what they’ve done the last four years, the success they’ve had on the court,” Seibert said.
“But even more than that, the way they handled themselves off the court. How many little kids want to be the next Lilly Stoddard, the next Jessica Carrothers? I’m just so incredibly proud and honored to be their coach. That was what I wanted them to focus on, to be able to reflect a little bit and be proud of everything they’ve accomplished.”