ARGOS – Before last season the Culver Cavaliers girls basketball team had never defeated the Argos Dragons in the annual Bell Game. However, after Tuesday night’s convincing 50-18 victory over their arch rivals, the Cavs now have a modest two-game winning streak in the rivalry.
Not surprisingly, a good crowd was on hand at Phil Weybright Gymnasium to see this Hoosier North Athletic Conference clash.
Even Cavs’ head coach, A.J. Neace, a Culver alum, had appropriate attire on, sporting a bright orange sports coat to go along with his matching orange tie.
“I break it out every year for the Bell Game,” said Neace when asked about his colorful sports jacket.
Neace, whose Cavs’ team improved to 6-2 on the young season, was all smiles as he should’ve been after winning one of the most important games on the schedule.
“This is huge for us and huge for our community,” he said. “Hopefully in about a month-and-a-half we can get the boys to bring (the Bell) back, too.”
On this night, Neace’s team was led by sophomore guard Ava McCune, who poured in 27 points to go with six rebounds and seven steals.
McCune was the quickest, most athletic player on the floor and it was apparent throughout.
On several occasions she jumped the passing lane to steal the ball and beat everyone down the floor for an easy transition bucket.
“I might be biased, but I think she’s the most athletic person on the floor every night,” Neace admitted. “In our defense, if the opponent doesn’t know what we’re doing, they’re going to throw it right to our hands and we’re going to get layups.
“Ava does a great job of jumping between players, taking the ball and going the other way.”
With the Cavs leading 28-13 at halftime, McCune sparked a third quarter that saw her team outscore the hosts 13-3 to take a commanding 41-16 leading into the fourth.
She started the half with back-to-back layups. Then following an Argos timeout, McCune came up with yet another steal, scored on the fastbreak and was fouled. She missed the free throw, but the Cavs led 38-16 with 3:31 remaining in the third.
On Argos’ next possession, McCune did it again, jumping the passing lane and went the distance for an uncontested layup.
“I told them at the start of the game, ‘The first four minutes of the first quarter and the first four minutes of the third quarter is where you’re going to win this game,’” Neace said. “’If you come out slow and sluggish, they’re going to get on you.’
“We stepped up to the challenge, especially Ava.”
McCune did get some help from her teammates. Junior Brooke Davis chipped in seven points and pulled down nine rebounds, while sophomore Ashlynn Berndt added six points and dished out five assists.
“Ava and Ashlynn make everyone better,” Neace said. “When they’re going, it seems like we’re going.”
Argos, which remained winless on the season in eight tries, was led by senior Ellie Bollenbacher’s 10 points and eight rebounds.
Next up for Culver is a home game against Rochester at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Argos will be in action at 3:30 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Bethany Christian.
CULVER: Ava McCune 11 4-7 27, Ashlynn Berndt 2 0-0 6, Hailey Parker 0 0-0 0, Eliana Andrzewski 2 0-0 5, Lina Sagel 0 0-0 0, Brianna Schlemmer 2 0-0 5, Brooke Davis 3 1-1 7, Savanna Harrington 0 0-0 0, Alyviah Williams 0 0-0 0, Autumn Neace 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 20 5-8 50.
ARGOS: Alysa Bowering 0 0-0 0, Leah Pizzuto 1 0-0 3, Ellie Bollenbacher 2 6-11 10, Lexi Gibson 0 0-0 0, Makenzie Smith 0 0-0 0, Kinzlee Kelly 1 0-0 3, Haley Shafer 0 0-0 0, Grace Thomas 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 5 6-11 18.
3-pointers: Culver 5 (Berndt 2, Andrzewski, McCune, Schlemmer), Argos 2 (Pizzuto, Kelly). Fouls (fouled out): Culver 12 (none), Argos 7 (none).
Records: Culver 6-2, Argos 0-8