By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
JEFFERSONVILLE – Wearing Indiana on the front of the jersey for the first time, Chloe Spreen felt the same pressure that’s usually associated with Bedford North Lawrence printed on the uniform. Winning is expected.
So it’s no surprise, when challenged in the late stages of the latest renewal of the Junior All-Stars series with Kentucky, Spreen and the Hoosiers answered the threat. That’s what winners do, after all. They find a way to rise.
The way to victory was directed by Spreen and teammate Jordyn Poole, who piloted the Hoosiers to safety after Kentucky drew close in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Poole, a Purdue recruit, scored 19 points, Jennings County star Juliann Woodard added 17, and Spreen totaled 14 as Indiana pulled away to 79-69 triumph on Sunday afternoon.
Indiana never trailed while winning for the 11th time in the 12-game series. But after a torching start, neither could the Juniors make their Kentucky foes surrender. Indiana’s lead was a precarious 64-61 when Spreen and Poole (a Fort Wayne Snider standout) went to work in the fourth quarter.
Spreen, attacking the rim in similar fashion to her BNL mode, got fouled en route to the hoop and converted two free throws. Then she went head-down, radar-on-rim again for a tough basket. Poole followed with the next 9 Indiana points as the lead swelled to its biggest point (75-62), which allowed Indiana to cruise home.
“We definitely had high expectations to come out here and win,” said Spreen, who recently committed to Alabama and will enter her senior season at BNL as a Miss Basketball frontrunner. “There’s a big history between Kentucky and Indiana, we knew we had to get it done.
“It was definitely an honor, playing with all these high-level players is really fun, to compete with all of them.”
Indiana’s blazing start – 9-0 in the first 2:13, then 15-4 (with Spreen scoring off a nifty fake and left-handed scoop finish) to spark a Kentucky timeout – set the tone. Spreen added six points in the second quarter, the latter bucket a layup off a sparkling Lauren Foster pass, although Kentucky scratched within 35-34 at the half.
Spreen added another basket in the third, gathering an offensive rebound and fading for a 12-footer, as Indiana maintained a 57-52 advantage. That’s when Kentucky drew close, that’s when Indiana’s core group (minus Indiana recruit Faith Wiseman, who was absent) stepped to the forefront.
After the Spreen points for a 66-60 lead, Poole pounced with three straight dashes through the interior (twice for 3-point plays) that put Kentucky away.
“As we all know, even the greatest players don’t always have the greatest day,” Indiana coach Zach Newby said. “It was who was playing well. It happened to be the core group.
“Chloe is quick. For her size, she is quick and can get to the bucket. Her hesitation move is tough.”
Poole, a 5-6 guard, had other quality stats, including a game-high 10 rebounds (especially considering the Kentucky advantage in bulk and size). She also had 4 assists. Spreen added 3 rebounds and 2 steals, while Woodard (who is still uncommitted to college but plans to make that decision after visits this month) made two treys and added 5 boards. And after suffering so many recent losses to BNL, she enjoyed winning with a BNL teammate.
“It’s always fun,” Woodard said. “We know each other’s game. Playing against her is even better. It’s always competitive.”
Pikevile’s Trinity Rowe paced Kentucky with 19 points while Louisville Central’s Destiny Jones added 10. Kentucky had a 62-52 rebounding edge, including 18 second-chance points, but was also guilty of 25 turnovers.
The Indiana Juniors will now face the Senior All-Stars on Wednesday at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, the midweek scrimmage before the Indiana All-Stars renew their older and more visible series with Kentucky. The first game is set for Friday in Owensboro, the rematch in Indianapolis on Saturday.
The scrimmage will mean two teammates (Spreen and Karsyn Norman) that led the Stars to the Class 4A state championship will be in opposite corners for a rare battle (the first since AAU and middle school competition). The Seniors usually dominate those contests. But nothing will be taken for granted.
“We’re still representing Indiana, and ourselves, so play as hard as we possibly can,” Newby said. “We want to get them ready to play, but it’s a game. We’re going to keep score. Might as well win.”
In the boys game, Kentucky prevailed 106-92. Travis Perry had 24 points and Ayden Evans added 23 for Kentucky, while K.J. Windham had 25 points for Indiana.
