Washington-South Bend celebrates its T-Mobile championship.
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The mission was simple once South Bend Washington was given an objective. The Panthers wanted to become the first host-state school to win the three-year-old T-Mobile Invitational.
Previous participants from Washington and New Mexico had a combined 1-7 record until the tournament landed in Indiana, the basketball promised land.
And while the Indiana boys' representative, Lawrence North, also claimed the tournament title Tuesday, by virtue of the earlier championship game and a 64-55 win against No. 24 Bob Jones (Ala.), South Bend Washington can claim the honor first.
"We take pride in being the host state team," Notre Dame-bound senior Skylar Diggins said. "They told us in the banquet that no team from the host state of this tournament has ever won it, so that was our incentive right there."
Diggins didn't put on quite the show she had Monday, when she scored 31 against University (N.J.), but she led all scorers with 26 points and added six assists and four steals.
The No. 7 Panthers (12-0) were also on a mission to prove they aren't just the Diggins Show. Senior Jasmine Watson led the rest of the squad with 11 points, while Shareita Patton grabbed two steals, birthday girl Alandrea Pfeifer-Nailon scored five points and senior Rakeesha Lane led the Panthers with seven rebounds.
"We knew everyone was essential, but now everyone understands how important everyone on our team is to our success," Diggins said. "We can't credit just Skylar Diggins, you know, it's not about me. Now, you see ... everybody's so important."
In the consolation game, No. 17 University (2-2) rebounded from Monday's loss to South Bend with a 78-48 win against Gentry (Miss.).
St. John's-bound senior Nadirah McKenith led the Phoenix with 25 points, while junior Laurin Mincy followed up Monday's 35-point output with 19 points, six assists and five steals. Senior Laneisha Jennie led Gentry (9-4) with 12 points and 14 rebounds but the Rams committed 30 turnovers in the loss.
It wasn't all easy for South Bend Washington in the championship game, at least not early. Down 9-3 after three minutes, they were in unfamiliar territory, falling into the Patriots' slowed-down, half-court style.
"They owned us the first quarter," Diggins said. "Just like University owned us in the first half. We played their game and, if we would have continued to play their game, we would have gotten last place in this tournament."
Joseph Walsh/Special to ESPN HoopGurlz
Skylar Diggins scored 26 points in the finale.
Once the Panthers turned their typical defensive pressure on in the second quarter, they outscored Bob Jones 19-9 in that period and forced eight second-quarter turnovers.
"Of course, we're not the quickest team in the world," Bob Jones' coach Tim Miller said. "South Bend's a lot quicker than we were. We have to be more patient with the basketball. We give up 64 points in a game, we're going to lose every time."
Having senior guard Kylie Cook, who led the Patriots (17-2) with 21 points, and senior point guard Jala Harris, who played just 18 minutes, with four fouls each before the fourth quarter didn't help, either.
But the Patriots pulled the game to within three in the final three minutes before South Bend Washington answered with a run. Capped by a big three-pointer from senior Karis Phillips, a quick 7-3 spurt put the game out of reach at 58-51.
The tournament win prepares the Panthers for a return to South Bend and conference play, where there is a month left in the regular season.
"This right here is huge," coach Maurice Scott said. "Regardless of whether we won or lost, this was an opportunity for the kids to grow together."
