The South Central Satellites hosted the Kouts Mustangs in the Porter County Conference (PCC) tournament championship Friday night. Going into the game, the Satellites had a conference record of 3-2 while the Mustangs were 4-1. The last matchup of these two teams resulted in a win for the Satellites by only a mere four points. The Satellites are no stranger to the PCC Championship. Two years ago they fell to Morgan Township, and were hoping history would not repeat itself in 2021.
While it was the Satellites who won the tip off, it was the Mustangs who took an early lead when #24 Allison Capouch sunk a three pointer. Not to be outdone by her teammate, #12 Emma Garavalia scored the team two more points.
The Satellites stayed close, but were behind at the end of the first quarter with Kouts scoring 10 points and the Satellites getting 7 points. At the top of the second quarter the Mustangs sank a three point basket which was promptly answered by the Satellites’ #40 Olivia Marks. Delanie Gale added to the Satellites score with a two point basket, resulting in a tie score of 12 points each. At the half, the Satellites were up by just a mere three points, with the score landing at Satellites 19 points, Kouts 16 points.
The action only intensified when the Mustangs took an early lead in the third quarter. However, the Satellites were not going to let that sit long and with 4:42 left in the quarter, they once again regained the lead. Despite hard defense by the Mustangs, the end of the second quarter found them down by two points with a score of Satellites 30, Mustangs 28.
At the start of the fourth quarter the Satellites quickly scored back-to-back points putting them ahead at 34 points for the Satellites, and 28 points for the Mustangs. The Mustangs fought hard to stay in the game but the Satellites slowly widened the gap with a series of successful foul shots. The final score was Satellites 45, Mustangs 35.
The Satellites’ Head Coach Wesley Bucher couldn’t be more proud and excited for his team. He has coached the Satellites for the past four years.
“At the beginning of the year we set goals,” said Coach Bucher. “I asked these girls if they thought this was realistic and they said absolutely it is. The first couple weeks were rough. We didn’t start off all that strong. It’s exciting to see these girls take the dream that they had and make it a reality. I am elated and proud of the way we came back too.”
In addition to the Satellites winning the PCC Championship and Times Media Gold Ball Trophy, there was also celebration for the winner of the prestigious James W. Dold Mental Attitude award and Dance Team Award. The honor of the James W. Dold award went to Morgan Township’s Emma O’Brien. The Kouts Dance team received the Dance Team Award. Congratulations to all!
