By Eric Eaton
Hoosier Crossroads Content Coordinator
LAFAYETTE – Simply put Lafayette Jefferson’s girls basketball team was on a mission the week of November 17 during the fourth-annual J&C Hoops Classic at McCutcheon High School.
The Bronchos, who never trailed during the entire tournament, won all three of their games by at least 40 points, including an 86-46 rout of McCutcheon in the championship game on Nov. 22.
“We approached this week like a sectional week,” said Lafayette Jeff coach Jan Conner.
Well, if her team is able to duplicate its performance from the J&C Hoop Classic come February during the sectionals, then the rest of the competition had better look out; because the Bronchos appear to have a team that is capable of winning a sectional title for the first since 1995.
Lafayette Jeff jumped on McCutcheon early and often, sprinting out to a 26-13 first quarter lead on the strength of the inside outside game of junior guard Channie Williams.
The Mavericks had no answer for the super quick Williams during the opening quarter, when she totaled 15 points off a combination of drives to basket and three-point shooting. For the game, Williams scored 26 points, which led all scorers.
The Bronchos increased their lead against McCutcheon in each subsequent quarter by outscoring the Mavericks by nine, eleven, and seven points in the final three stanzas.
The Richardson cousins, Brandi and Charae, each joined Williams as double figure scorers against McCutcheon with 14 and 11 points respectively.
Charae was named MVP of the tournament after scoring a combined 64 points during the Bronchos three victories over Harrison, West Lafayette, and McCutcheon.
Lafayette Jeff, which improved to 3-1 on the young season, captured its first-ever J&C Hoops Classic title in girls basketball. In fact, the tournament has had a different champion each year it has been contested. McCutcheon, Benton Central and Twin Lakes are all previous winners of the annual tournament.
McCutcheon, which was coming of a triple overtime victory against Benton Central the night before, was led in scoring by the 12 points of sophomore Beth Hainje. The 2-2 Mavericks will get at least one more opportunity to settle the score against Bronchos this season when the two teams meet on January 6 at McCutcheon in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference matchup.
Here’s a look at the scores from the three consolation games of the J&C Classic which were held earlier in the day.
Third-place game: Benton Central 74, West Lafayette 34
Benton Central (4-1) rolled to a 40-point victory over Hoosier Conference rival West Lafayette by placing three players in double figures.
The Bison, who held the Red Devils (2-3) to just six points in each of the first two periods, were led in scoring by senior Skyler Gick who scored 18 points. Senior Brandi Benda had 11 points to lead West Lafayette.
Fifth-place game: Twin Lakes 45, Lafayette Central Catholic 39
Twin Lakes got a game-high 18 points from senior Emileah Manahan and improved to 3-1 on the season. Senior Kinsey Arnold led the Knights (1-2) with 11 points.
Seventh-place game: Frankfort 35, Harrison (West Lafayette) 19
The Hotdogs avoided going 0-3 in the tournament with a dominating defensive performance against the Raiders. In fact, Frankfort (1-3) didn’t allow Harrison to score more than six points during any of the four quarters.
Harrison, which dropped to 0-4, was led in scoring by the eight points of senior Kelsey Barr. Junior Brook Howe was Frankfort’s leading scorer with 13 points.
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