BROWNSBURG — Coming off a big win against Class 3A No. 1-ranked Lebanon last Saturday, last night’s contest against the visiting Brebeuf Braves had the makings of a trap game for the Bulldogs.
Winners of their last nine games, the No. 12-ranked Brownsburg girls’ basketball team closed out the regular season with a 17-3 record after dispatching the visiting Braves 58-44 on senior night.
“We knew this would be a tough game and the girls came in focused and ready to play,” Brownsburg coach Amy Brauman said. “We had a little defensive lapse there in the third quarter, but overall we had a great effort from everybody.”
Brownsburg jumped out to a 12-4 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs enjoyed a 36-15 halftime advantage before Brebeuf closed within 15 at the end of the third, 48-33.
Brebeuf could not come any closer as Brownsburg kept the Braves out of reach in the fourth.
Stephanie Mavunga led Brownsburg with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Lindsey Low added 13 points and Kayle Comer chipped in 12 as three Bulldogs hit double figures.
Brauman sent her seven seniors out with a bang as she utilized a senior-laden lineup and each contributed to the win.
“It’s been awesome growing with them from our freshmen year to now and see how we’ve changed and our ability to have successful seasons like this has been amazing,” Comer said.
Comer, Mavunga, Low, Natalie Kroll, Margaret Oles, Mackenzie Trout, Brooke Bronger and Andrea Williams all were honored before the game. The group has four county championships between them and have accomplished much in their time as Bulldogs.
“They are a great bunch,” Brauman said. “They provide great leadership to the younger kids, work hard and we don’t have to worry about them in the classroom as they are all good students. They’ve set the tone for this season and really, the best thing about them is they are unselfish.”
However, the one thing that has eluded this group is a sectional championship. Bounced from the postseason in each of the past three seasons by Ben Davis, the Bulldogs hope avoid that pattern this year.
“We are really ready and focused to win a sectional,” Brauman said. “Sectional is a whole different atmosphere, especially playing defense. I think it would be a huge achievement for them. For all they have done for our program, it would be really sad if they were not to win a sectional championship.”
Comer agrees with her coach and just wants to get started on the right foot next week.
“We just want to get a sectional win first of all and have the momentum going into Ben Davis,” Comer said. “Ben Davis is a very good team, but we feel we’ve gotten better since that game and we’re ready.”
The two teams must win their opening sectional matchups before playing each other in the second round. Brownsburg hosts the sectional this season and takes on Southport at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 and Ben Davis opens up with Decatur Central in the early game at 6 p.m.
“Southport has played great competition and one of the toughest schedules in the state,” Brauman said. “We will focus in on that tomorrow and hopefully play them tough on Wednesday.”
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