Poplar Girls Knock Off Harlem In District 2B League Battle
Poplar’s girls’ basketball team accounted for a 29-0 run in the first half and went on to defeat Harlem, 77-60, for a home conference win on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Indians trailed by a 1912 margin with less than two minutes left in the opening quarter when Sadee Archambeault started the streak of points with a free throw. Free tosses by Cammie Martell and Archambeault closed the gap to 19-15.
Poplar’s 5-11 senior Kessee Erickson then let her presence be felt with five straight points to put the Indians into the lead. A steal and drive by C. Martell put the Indians up, 22-19, to end the opening quarter.
While Harlem struggled with Poplar’s full-court defensive pressure, the Indians increased their lead on two free throws by Emma Rae Martell and an inside hoop by Rikki Belton.
After Braelyn Nordwick scored off a pass from Belton, Archambeault went coast to coast for a basket. Four straight points by Nordwick increased the margin to 34-19. Mattie Falls Down accounted for six of Poplar’s next eight points for a 42-19 lead.
Harlem fought back with a basket off a rebound by Jaselyn Lambert and a free throw by Gracie Sanchez for a 42-22 game. Poplar ended the half on a strong note as the scoring of E. Martell and Nordwick led the way to a 52-27 lead at intermission.
The Wildcats closed the gap to 61-48 during the third quarter, but four straight points by Belton helped Poplar hold a 67-51 advantage at the end of the period.
The Indians struck for six straight points on a pull-up jumper by C. Martell, two free throws by Belton and a basket by Erickson for a 75-56 lead en route to the league victory.
