Girls basketball: Lady Pirates open season with OT win

Greensburg’s Lady Pirates welcomed Franklin to the court for their inaugural girls’ basketball game on Tuesday. Franklin began strong, leading 7-0 at the start, but the Lady Pirates quickly responded with a free throw by Claire Larrison to mark the first points of the season. Kahlen Adams added to the Pirates' lead with a left-wing three-pointer.

Lulu Webb contributed a free throw, giving Greensburg an 8-7 advantage after a basket from Larrison. Franklin managed to close the gap with a drive by Ella McCrary, but the Lady Pirates responded with seven points in a span, including a highlighted run capped by Sophie Buening's shot that put them ahead 15-9. Franklin's Addi King scored a three-pointer, momentarily reducing the lead, but Larrison followed with a layup and a free throw, extending Greensburg's lead to 18-12 at the half.

Franklin started the second quarter with a ten-point run, leading 20-18. Greensburg's Aleah Singleton's basket tied the game, and Larrison's lane basket and Buening's free throw maintained the 20-20 score. Franklin extended their lead to 27-23 with a seven-point run. Webb scored for Greensburg, cutting the deficit to one. Franklin's McCrary's three-pointer and a subsequent basket by Webb narrowed the gap to 33-31 at the half.

Buening's drive tied the game at 33-33. Franklin's McCrary's basket and Larrison's three-pointer gave Greensburg a 36-35 lead. Franklin managed to take a three-point lead with four consecutive points from King. Two points from Adams and a free throw by Buening helped Greensburg regain the lead 42-41. Franklin's McCrary's basket put them up 43-42 heading into the fourth quarter.

Franklin extended their lead to 48-42, but Larrison's and Webb's points brought the Lady Pirates to a 50-48 advantage. Franklin took the lead four times before Franklin's King scored, giving Franklin a 61-59 lead. Two free throws by Buening tied the game at 61-61, sending it to overtime. Larrison's layup opened the extra session, and King's jump shot and two free throws by Larrison tied the game at 65-65 with 1:09 remaining.

Buening's final minute of free throws, including one by Larrison, led to the Lady Pirates’ 71-66 victory. Leading the scoring for Greensburg was Larrison with 26 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, Adams contributed 17 points, two rebounds, and four assists, Buening finished with 16 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one steal, Webb added 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal, and Kennelly chipped in with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Franklin's King led with a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, McCrary had 12 points, and Frederick added 11 points. The Lady Pirates will face North Decatur next Friday, while Union County took on Batesville in their opener, winning 46-41.