The Carroll Cougars picked up two wins against Clinton Prairie in girls’ and boys’ basketball on Friday night.
In the girls’ game, Carroll’s defensive intensity and physicality helped them pull away from the young gopher squad, winning 54-34.
Jillian Salts was a force in the paint for the Cougars, racking up five blocks and finishing with 14 points. She was named The Farmers Bank Player of the Game.
Eliza Rinehart also had a strong game for Carroll, finishing with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The boys’ game featured the top two teams from the Hoosier Heartland Conference in the 2024-2025 season. But both teams have had slow starts to the year.
It was a back-and-forth contest that saw several lead changes. At halftime, the Gophers lead 17-14.
Carroll made the right adjustments in the second half, and senior point guard Aiden Duff was able to find a rhythm.
Clinton Prairie’s Nick Curtin kept the Gophers around with his team-high 16 points, but the senior forward fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
In the final minute, Carroll held a three-point lead.
The Gophers hadn’t hit a shot from behind the arc the entire game, but Evan Smock connected on a game-tying three-pointer.
On the next possession, Carson Hale found Karson Shuler in the corner for a go-ahead three with five seconds remaining, putting Carroll ahead for good and giving them the 42-40 win.
Despite the slow start, Carroll is now 2-1 in conference play with wins against Clinton Prairie and Rossville.
Duff was named The Farmers Bank Player of the Game for his performance, finishing with a team-high 13 points and dishing out several assists.
Karson Shuler’s game winning three was the Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union Play of the Game.
Watch both games archived on Hoosierland TV by clicking below.
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