Arcanum falls to Covington Lady Buccs

I’m proud of the girl’s fight ... Arcanum coach Abbey Moore

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Arcanum's Alexis Gibbons (L) and Matty Noe (R) named to Buccaneers Holiday Classic 2024 Girls All-Tournament Team. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

ARCANUM – The Covington Lady Buccs defended their home court, winning the Covington Holiday Basketball Tournament with a 43-37 win over the Arcanum Lady Trojans.

“There’s going to be ups and downs with the youth we have, but no more excuses on that because we’re halfway through the season,” Arcanum coach Abbey Moore said. “It’s to the point now where they’re not freshmen anymore, so I’m not giving them that excuse anymore.”

Arcanum freshman center Gabrielle Wooten goes strong to the basket at Covington. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“They must grow up and learn from their mistakes,” Moore continued. “I want to see them grow throughout the year. I don’t want to see them get discouraged because there will be times of adversity. We have to get stronger; we have to grow and move forward. I’m proud of the girl’s fight.”

The game highlighted Covington senior Maggie Anderson and Arcanum senior Alexis Gibbons, both signees with IU East to play basketball for the Lady Red Wolves basketball program next year.

Covington took the opening period 17-10, and Arcanum bounced back, taking period No. 2 by a 16-8 score, sending the teams to the break with the Lady Trojans holding a slim one-point 16-15 advantage.

Arcanum junior Caroline Long goes to the basket for a Lady Trojans score. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

The Lady Buccs outscored Arcanum 11-7, including back-to-back Maggie Anderson 3-pointers in the third to lead 36-33 with one quarter to play.

Arcanum struggled from the field in the fourth period, only going 4-6 at the free throw line and dropping the non-conference holiday tournament game to Covington.

Arcanum sisters (L-R), junior Faith Wooten and freshman Gabrielle Wooten, both varsity centers share a moment on the Lady Trojans bench. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“We did a good job defensively at times, but we struggled to score in the second half,” Coach Moore noted. “We have to figure that out. We have to figure out how to put more points up.”

Gibbons led Arcanum and all scorers with a game-high 16 points.

BOXSCORE:

COVINGTON 43, ARCANUM 37

COVINGTON – E. Johnson 13, M. Anderson 11, A. Koffer 9, D. Murphy 9 – TOTALS 10 5-12 6 43

ARCANUM – A. Gibbons 16, C. Long 8, M. Noe 5, G. Wooten 4, A. Leeper 2, F. Wooten 2 – TOTALS 8 6-8 5 37

3-POINTERS

Covington 6 (M. Anderson 2, E. Johnson 2, A. Koffer 1, D. Murphy 1)
Arcanum 5 (A. Gibbons 4, M. Noe 1)

SCORE by QUARTERS

17-08-11-07 43 Covington
10-16-07-04 37 Arcanum