3-point history and game winners lead day 1 of Twin Lakes Holiday Tournament
MONTICELLO — Twin Lakes High School was the setting for a dramatic and action-packed first day of girls high school basketball as part of the Twin Lakes Holiday Tournament.
Eight teams are showcased, including four Greater Lafayette Area teams: McCutcheon, Twin Lakes, Faith Christian and Tri County. The tourney features both a winners bracket and consolation bracket and area teams didn't disappoint.
McCutcheon, Twin Lakes and Tri-County each advanced to the winners bracket while Faith Christian will play at Staggs Gymnasium at Roosevelt Middle School for the rest of the tournament.
Here are four takeaways from day one of the Twin Lakes Holiday Tournament:
Olivia Nickerson makes history
Twin Lakes senior Olivia Nickerson needed to sink six 3-pointers to become the Indiana high school career shot maker from behind the arc.
Nickerson's day didn't start well and missed her first four shots. Once she started playing within the flow of the game, Twin Lakes offense began scoring with little response by Faith Christian.
Nickerson hit number six with 2:09 to play and finished with 31 points to lead Twin Lakes over Faith Christian 77-50.
Her movement off the ball and aggressive cutting allowed Twin Lakes to find a rhythm and widen the lead in the third quarter.
Nickerson's running mate junior Addie Bowsman scored 22 points. The duo for Twin Lakes shot a combined 20 of 34 from the field. The pressure of the record is now over. Nickerson is focused on winning games and making to the tournament title game on Sunday.
On the other side of the winner's bracket is either Tri Central or McCutcheon. Nickerson sank 10 3-pointers against the Mavericks, a game Twin Lakes won at McCutcheon 52-49.
"It's been nice to start off with this win since we've been off for two weeks but we're not done yet," Nickerson said. "We're keeping that momentum heading into tomorrow.
McCutcheon on a roll
McCutcheon has been on a tear since losing to Twin Lakes after the masterful performance by Nickerson on Nov. 15.
The Mavericks have won nine straight game since then including eight victories by double digits. Freshman 6-1 point guard Lillie Graves continues to prove why she received an offer from Purdue as an eighth grader.
Graves is a complete offensive player. She can knock down step back 3-pointers with an ease and confidence that's unshakeable. Her strength and ability to score through contact with her length means teams have to shift their defenses.
Graves' ability to create her own shot plus getting teammates involved is turning McCutcheon into the most formidable girls basketball program in the Greater Lafayette Area.
There are some things you can't teach this world. Lillie Graves drills the 3 at the buzzer. So calm and collected. Pressure doesn't seem to exist in her world. @mccutcheonmavs leads Chesterton 46-44 after three. #boilercountryscores pic.twitter.com/pAuw5Uxppt
— Ethan Hanson (@EthanAHanson) December 27, 2023
With 22 points Graves led McCutcheon over Chesterton 61-50 was complimented by fellow sophomores Chloe Finney, Marley Dale, junior Kalea Washington and senior Aubri Mullendore. Mullendore added 11 points, Finney with nine points, Dale with seven points and Washington adding six points against Chesterton that entered 9-5.
Graves hit a contested 3-pointer to end the third quarter and McCutcheon proceeded to outscore Chesterton 14-6 in the fourth.
A testament to a star's success is the ability to make teammates better. McCutcheon as a whole is is playing with greater confidence and Graves is the conductor creating a fusion of unselfish offensive play.
Tri-County gives teams fits on defense
The defending 1A champions from Tri-County are showing it can hang with bigger programs during the Twin Lakes Holiday Tournament.
Hannah Arvin the game winning bucket with 10.5 seconds remaining and Tri Central stuns Mount Vernon 45-43.
Sara Zarse led the Cavaliers with 20 points. Tri County plays McCutcheon in the semifinals tomorrow at 11 a.m.@tccavscountry #boilercountryscores pic.twitter.com/QWMQGmmTJj— Ethan Hanson (@EthanAHanson) December 28, 2023
Tri-County led by junior Sara Zarse earned a stunning win over 4A program Mt. Vernon of Fortville. Zarse scored 20 points while Hannah Arvin scored the game winning bucket using a left handed layup off a spin move and stunned the Marauders 45-43.
Layton-led Faith Christian looks to turn page against Bishop Chatard
Maya Layton had an off night against Twin Lakes and drew three fouls during the first half.
She recovered but being in foul trouble forced the sophomore guard to reduce her aggressiveness on defense as Twin Lakes ran away with the win.
Layton scored 19 points and freshman Johanna Haste added 17 points. The quick turnaround to play Bishop Chatard on Thursday should reenergize the Eagles.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Four takeaways from Twin Lakes Holiday Tournament day 1
