Poplar Earns Berth With Win Over Harlem

Poplar’s girls’ basketball team punched its ticket to the divisional tournament by knocking off Harlem, 52-47, on Saturday.

A three-pointer by Jenaeya Moran and a free throw by Cammie Martell put Poplar ahead by a 41-31 lead in the third quarter, but Harlem tallied the last seven points of the quarter to pull to 41-38.

The Indians started strongly in the fourth quarter on a three-pointer by Frankie Gourneau and an inside basket by Emma Belton. The Wildcats, however, were able to close the gap to 48-43 with 3:35 remaining.

Poplar responded with free throws by Belton and Journey Gourneau for a 50-43 advantage.

A steal and drive by Maddy Mount pulled Harlem to 50-45, but the Indians put the game away on free throws by F. Gourneau and J. Gourneau.

Poplar’s top scorers were Braelyn Nordwick with 10, Moran with nine and F. Gourneau with eight points. J. Gourneau and Belton added seven points each.

Leading Harlem were Mount with nine and Madi Barr with eight points.

After leading by an 11-10 margin at the end of the first quarter, the Indians increased their advantage to 22-14 on six straight points on a 16-footer by Martell, a layup by Saydee Archambeault and two free throws by Moran.

Poplar went on to hold a 28-19 half-time advantage.