HUNTINGTON, Ind — After falling to Norwell 74-44 in Saturday’s first semi-state game at Huntington North High School, the Delta girls’ basketball season came to a close. When she walked into the locker room for the post-game meeting, head coach Ty’Ronda Benning wanted her team to remember what they did this season.

After becoming sectional champions for the first time in 32 years, winning the first-ever regional championship in program history and being the first Eagles’ (18-8) roster to ever play at semi-state, Benning made sure her team knew their worth.

“I told them, ‘Don't hang your heads,”’ she said. “Those were my exact words. ‘You guys should all feel proud and accomplished, and that we all love each other.’ At the end of the day, it's a family thing.”

Before the contest with the Knights (21-6) began, junior Griffyn Knight warmed up and was in the starting lineup. Though she has been dealing with a knee injury and has missed time throughout the postseason, she was not skipping the semi-state game.

“To think about how many girls have not been able to make it this far, and that I'm one of the [first] girls to make it, it's [an] amazing joy,” she said. “I'm so grateful for it.”

Going through rehab and taking every step she could to take the court reinforced what Benning has thought of Knight the last two seasons.

“She's one of those players who is just simply relentless,” Benning said. “You can't tell Griffyn no.”

Once the game tipped off, Knight scored the Eagles’ first points with a corner 3-pointer. But Norwell responded and led 8-3 in the early minutes. Though the Eagles fought back with a few buckets, they still trailed at the end of the first quarter 15-10. Following the first period, Benning made some defensive changes.

Due to that, things started to change for the blue and gold. Junior Jillian Barr — who hit 1,000 career points this season and broke Delta’s rebounding record — found momentum on defense and recorded several blocks.

With a continued stretch of solid play and good ball movement that led to a 3-pointer from junior Addison Barnes near halftime, the Eagles went into the break only trailing 32-29.

However, the second half was much different. Barr fouled out and was the lone Eagle to shoot a free throw in the half. On the other hand, Norwell attempted 11 free throws. That helped the Knights score 42 points in the half to the Eagles’ 15.

“It's one of those things where we're fighting and we're fighting,” Benning said. “When things like that happen, it's kind of hard to fight back.”

Throughout the rest of the game, the Eagles struggled to find momentum with the basketball. Barnes led Delta with 20 points and Barr followed with 10. Before the final buzzer rang through the gym, the blue and gold’s starters received a standing ovation from their fans.

“It’s exciting to feel the love, and it reminds us that we’re not just playing for ourselves,” Barnes said. “You're playing for everyone in the building.”

However, the Eagles didn’t treat that as a final farewell moment. This group consists of zero seniors, and with that, the only thing on their minds is to repeat the success next season.

“We're gonna work our butts off over the summer to come back 10 times better next year,” Barnes said.

To the players, the reason for the successful year is because of the ‘family aspect’ that Benning has built. That mindset is something both players and coaches want to see as a staple throughout the program.

“It's just one of those things and you gotta understand life happens,” Benning said. “It always happens, no matter what or how young or old [you are]. We just have to stick together.”

Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or via X @ZachCarter85.

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