Berwick tops Abbeville in season finale

The Berwick girls’ basketball team wasn’t in rhythm for three quarters during Friday’s season finale at Berwick.
Abbeville (8-17 overall, 3-9 in district) took an early lead as the Lady Panthers (8-17, 5-7) missed make-able shots and turned the ball over. The Lady Wildcats cruised into halftime with a 17-11 lead.
“We wasn’t making shots, and we got lazy on the defensive end,” Berwick Assistant Coach Derek Ribardi said. “So I went to the press so they couldn’t play lazy, and we got some turnovers to turn the game around in the second half.”
Maci Broussard started to make shots, which forced Abbeville out of its double team of senior teammate Madison Carline. The seniors sparked the Lady Panthers’ offense, and after a steal and basket by Carline, Berwick pulled to within 21-18 with 2:05 left in the third quarter.
Broussard nailed a 3-pointer to cut Berwick’s deficit to 23-21 with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter, and a layup by Arianna Jones tied the game with 46 seconds remaining.
However, Abbeville hit a late free throw for a 24-23 lead to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged to the Lady Panthers. Carline had back-to-back steals and layups to give Berwick its first lead at 27-24 with 5:55 left. Carline added a running jumper and a free throw to make the score 29-26 with 2:55 remaining.
Abbeville went to pressure on defense, too, but couldn’t stay in front of Carline. The senior made free throws and controlled the ball down the stretch for a 33-29 Berwick win.
“At the beginning of the game it was frustrating with the double team, but I’m used to it,” Carline said. “My teammates stepped up and made shots, and then the double team had to come off me so it opened up for me. Even if we would’ve lost the game and gave our best effort, it would have been OK, but I’m happy we were able to come together and win our last game together. “
Carline led Berwick with 19 points. Other Berwick scorers were Jones, eight; Broussard, four; and Sam Kinchen, two.
Berwick had six seniors this season: Carline, Broussard, Lauren Skinner, Maddi Billiot, Tia Whitehead and Tamera Whitehead.
“Eight wins,” Ribardi stressed. “When these kids first came to school here, they were happy to win one game. And we had five district wins, and it’s been sometime since we won that many district games. They’re all happy, and it’s always better to go out with a win.”
Panthers fall
to Wildcats
The Abbeville Wildcats defeated the Berwick Panthers 75-48 in District 8-3A action in Berwick Friday.
Hunter Seneca and Dayton Clark led Berwick. Seneca had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Clark had 13 points and five rebounds.
Berwick (3-23, 2-8) will return to action Tuesday when it travels to face North Vermilion in district action.
Additional reporting by Review Sports Editor Geoff Stoute.