SHARPSVILLE, Ind. — As Jeff Tharp subbed each of Cowan's starters out in the fourth quarter of the sectional championship game at Tri-Central, he met each one of them with a hug.
The first was junior Emma Johnson, who fouled out with 1:59 left in the game. Visibly frustrated, Johnson tried walking straight toward the bench but Tharp stopped her. Then came the tears. More tears were shed on the bench as junior Lauren Smith and seniors Rylee Mace, Shelbie Crabtree and Kaylee Kear each came out of the game in the final minutes.
Cowan lost the sectional championship 45-27 to host Tri-Central.