DANVILLE – Cardington-Lincoln girls basketball coach Jamie Edwards wants to make his final season at the helm one to remember.
His dream season was nearly derailed by a solid Danville team, and it took a solid run at the end of Saturday’s game to preserve the longest winning streak in the Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference.
The Pirates outscored host Danville, 11-3, in the final minutes Saturday to escape with a 55-47 victory. The win was Cardington’s 45th straight in the regular season. More impressively, it was the Pirates’ 60th straight win in the KMAC.
“We start with the third-graders. We live in the gym with them and put in that extra time,” Edwards said. “I’ve coached with guys that are great program builders.”
Defense was key to the run for Cardington (7-0, 4-0 KMAC). Dana Bertke had four straight defensive rebounds to spark the run, followed by a pair of blocks. Bertke finished with just six points but added 11 rebounds and five blocks for the game.
“We just got to the rim more and got some rebounds,” Edwards said. “We were getting hands on it, but they (Danville) were too strong and still able to put the ball in. I think Dana on the boards changed everything.”
Beth Hardwick scored 20 points to lead the Pirates on offense and dropped in 11 in the third quarter. Mikayla Linkous added 17 points, including a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Danville (3-3, 1-2) came out swinging. The Blue Devils used their strength inside to grab rebounds and contest any inside shot. Cardington, which usually relies on its outside shooting, saw that option fail as the Pirates struggled from the three-point line (1 for 13) in the first half.
Alenah Boeshart scored 10 points in the first half to lead the Blue Devils to a stunning 30-23 halftime lead.
“They wanted it a little more,” Danville coach Matt Proper said. “It’s going to take more from us. We’ll get back in the gym Monday.”
The Devils kept the pressure up through the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Pirates were finally able to close the gap when Hardwick scored on a putback off an offensive rebound, giving Cardington a 42-41 lead.
Cardington’s five senior starters – Bertke, Hardwick, Linkous, Kambrey Edwards and Karsyn Edwards – scored all of the team’s 55 points.
Brooklyn Hess and Ella Proper each scored eight points for Danville. Jaylyn Workman added seven points, and Camie Newbold had five.
