Indians Open With Victory Over Shelby

After a tight first half, Poplar’s girls’ basketball team rolled to a 42-28 opening- round victory over Shelby on Wednesday, March 4.

The game was deadlocked at 15-15 at the half, but Poplar opened the third quarter with a basket off a rebound by Cammie Martell and a three-pointer by Journey Gourneau.

After Shelby pulled to 22-20 on a three-point shot by Rowen Russell, the Indians accounted for seven straight points on a steal and layup by Braelyn Nordwick, a three-pointer by Martell and a drive by J. Gourneau.

The Coyotes fought back to 29-22 at the end of the third quarter.

A pair of free throws by Frankie Gourneau and a three-pointer by Jenaeya Moran increased the margin to 32-22 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Two baskets by J. Gourneau put the score at 37-27 with 5:02 remaining.

Shelby came as close as 3728, but Poplar put the game away on free throws by J. Gourneau, Frankie Gourneau and Moran.

Top scorers for the Indians were J. Gourneau with 16 and Moran with 11 points.

Rounding out the scoring were Nordwick with seven, Martell with five and F. Gourneau with three points.

Leading Shelby were Hadley Clary with nine and Russell with eight points.

Shelby scored the last four points of the opening quarter to take a 10-6 lead. The Indians responded with the first nine points of the second period on a hoop by Moran, two baskets by Nordwick and a three-pointer by J. Gourneau.