Indian Valley edges Harrison Central in district opener

The Indian Valley Lady Braves arrived in Cadiz Feb. 19 to take on the Harrison Central Lady Huskies in the opening round of the 2026 Division IV East District Tournament. Indian Valley held on for a 38-34 win, but Harrison Central pushed the visitors to the finish.

Harrison Central trailed 15-9 after the first quarter. The opening period included five 3-pointers between the two teams, a sign the game would be a fast, physical battle.

The second quarter belonged to the Huskies. Harrison Central outscored Indian Valley 20-19 in the period and went to the locker room with a 1-point lead.

In the second quarter, Indian Valley’s rebounding helped set the tone, and the Braves kept the pace moving. Indian Valley also used a full-court press to slow and limit the Husky offense.

The full-court pressure continued in the third. Harrison Central battled for rebounds, but Indian Valley maintained its tempo and protected the lead, using 3-pointers to help build it. Indian Valley led 29-26 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth, Indian Valley shifted strategy and slowed the game down, reducing possessions as Harrison Central stayed within 2 to 4 points much of the night. The move worked, and Harrison Central was forced to foul late. The Huskies sent the Braves to the foul line with 31.1 seconds and 4.9 seconds remaining.

Harrison Central’s Mikayla Pelegreen went to the line with 16.6 seconds left and Indian Valley leading 36-34, but Indian Valley finished the final seconds to seal the 38-34 win.

“I am extremely proud of our ladies and the way they battled tonight against a tough and experienced Indian Valley team,” head coach Chase Smith said. “They started four seniors and had two very experienced guards. I thought our girls stuck to our game plan and left everything on the floor, and you can’t ask for more than that.

“Our underclassmen really rose to the level of play, and Kara showed why she is a three-year letter winner and leader on this team. We had a few opportunities at the end but just came up short. It’s never easy this time of year, but I am extremely optimistic about our future and proud of how far the girls have come since day one.”

Shayla Smith and Emily Cope led Harrison Central with 19 points combined. Nameth scored 10 points. Pelegreen and Blackburn had 6 points each, and Ella Smith scored 3. Harrison Central’s 3-pointers were scored by Ella Smith and Nameth with one each, and Blackburn with two.