Poplar Girls Earn Win In Harlem

Poplar’s girls’ basketball team came away with a hardfought 55-53 victory over Harlem on Friday, Dec. 19.

The Indians led 41-38 after three quarters of play and increased the margin to 44-38 on a three-pointer by Frankie Gourneau early in the fourth period.

After Harlem closed the gap to 44-43, two free throws by Gourneau and an inside shot by Emma Belton were good for a 48-43 advantage.

The Wildcats, however, responded with baskets by Tearia Sunchild and Trinity Walker to pull to 48-47.

A three-pointer by Aubri Flying put Harlem in the lead at 50-48 with 1:49 remaining.

The Indians answered the threat by scoring five straight points on two free throws by Braelyn Nordwick, a steal and drive by Jenaeya Moran and a free throw by Gourneau for a 53-50 lead with 27 seconds remaining.

Harlem tied the game when J’Lynn Morgan connected from three-point range with 6.5 seconds on the clock.

After a foul in the backcourt, Poplar’s Gourneau, an eighth-grader, hit a pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Indians a District 2B victory. In the boys’ game, Harlem won by a 78-60 final.

The Wildcats led 35-30 at the half and 59-50 after three quarters of play.

Chasen Pribbernow led Poplar with 36 points.

Also scoring were Ryder Olson with six, Stephen Smoker with six, Xhaiden Bull Chief with six, Colton Dupree with five and Chance Pribbernow with three.