Whitko Claims Huge TRC Victory
SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko girls basketball team stayed in contention for a conference championship with a huge win Saturday night.
The host Wildcats used a strong finish to pull away from Rochester for a big 56-44 win in a key Three Rivers Conference clash.
Whitko built a 47-33 lead in the final quarter before the Zebras used an 11-0 run to pull within 47-44. The Wildcats responded in a big way by closing out the game with a 9-0 run of their own for the huge TRC victory.
The Wildcats, who have won three in a row and six of their last seven games, improve to 9-4 overall and more importantly 3-1 in the TRC. Rochester drops to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in league action.
Whitko led 13-7 after the opening period of play and then took a 23-17 lead at intermission. The hosts led 36-26 entering the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats got strong play from a host of players in the win.
Aly Reiff tossed in a game-high 19 points to lead the way for Whitko. Kelly Reiff had 11 points for the Wildcats. Both players each hit three treys for the winners.
Senior Jordan Hall also had a strong game for the Wildcats with 10 points. Jennifer Reiff had eight for coach Brandon Bradley’s team.
Becky Malchow led Rochester with 18 points.
Wabash leads the TRC standings at 2-0. Whitko, whose lone TRC loss was a 70-51 final at Tippecanoe Valley on Dec. 21, is in second at 3-1. Rochester, Northfield and Tippecanoe Valley are all tied at 2-1.
The Wildcats still have TRC games left at home versus Southwood (Jan. 18) and Northfield (Jan. 25) and at Wabash (Feb. 1).
Whitko plays at Norwell Thursday and hosts TRC foe Southwood Saturday night. Rochester hosts Bremen Tuesday night.