Wagner scores 1,000th point, but Valley drops sectional semi to NorthWood in OT

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Girls basketball

NorthWood 62, Tippecanoe Valley 61 (final/OT): Sidney Wagner scored 27 points and passed the 1,000-point milestone for her career, but NorthWood beat Valley in a Class 3A, Sectional 20 semifinal at Wawasee Friday.

Kaydence Mellott added 19 points, and Hayley Backus had 10 for Valley. It was the final prep game for seniors Wagner and Backus.

Wagner finished with 1,007 career points. She joins Sophie Bussard (1,243), Anne Secrest (1,580), Staci Groom (1,136), Hannah Krueger (1,036), Kara Kramer (1,006) and Rebekah Parker (1,420) among Valley players in the last 20 years to top the 1,000-point mark.

Mellott nailed four 3-pointers, and Wagner had two treys.

Kendal Miller hit six 3-pointers and scored 30 points for NorthWood. Alea Minnich hit all eight of her free throws and contributed a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds).

NorthWood avenged a 57-52 loss to Valley on Jan. 12. NorthWood beat Valley in the sectional for the second straight year.