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2020 4A North Semi-State Northwestern vs Penn

By Randy Beckett
Updated: February 25, 2020

The #1 Northwestern Tigers carved their way through #3 Fishers and #4 Homestead in their Regional title, while #6 Penn knocked off unbeaten #2 Crown Point to arrive at the Semi-State against another unbeaten. Northwestern features the state’s top duo in senior Miss Basketball candidates Madison Layden and Kendall Bostic and Penn had returned two junior starters to their lineup in Kaitlyn Costner and Jordyn Smith in their tourney run. Penn couldn’t have ask for a better start getting out to a 9-2 lead and seeing the Tigers star guard Madison Layden going to the bench picking up an early second foul with two minutes still to play in the first quarter. Penn would conclude the first quarter with a 16-8 lead. The tables would turn in the second quarter as fouls and frustration would start to mount for the Kingsmen as both Smith and Costner would pick up their second fouls. Northwestern would ride the momentum to their first lead at 19-18 at the 4:19 mark on a 11-2 run , and finished with a 27-23 advantage at the half. Kendall Bostic led Northwestern at the half with 12 points, while junior Trinity Clinton had 11 for Penn. Foul trouble would continue to be the theme for Penn into the third as Costner picked up her third foul 30 seconds into the period, followed by the third on Shelton. Trailing by one starting junior PG Jordyn Smith would pick up both her 3rd and 4th foul in the three minute mark. Northwestern would finish the quarter on a 9-1 run and lead 40-31. Penn would pull within four points at 45-41 with 3:19 left. From there the Tigers secured the ball, got layups and free throws to win their Final Four matchup 56-46 and advance to their third straight state championship appearance. Northwestern was led by Kendall Bostic with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Madison Layden finished with 23 points. Penn was led in scoring by Trinity Clinton with 18 points. Northwestern shot 55% from the field and was 22-28 from the free throw line. Northwestern, who have won the last two 3A state titles, will have an opportunity to three-peat as they play Lawrence North in the 4A title game.