FORT WAYNE – Junior Meredith Shipman and senior Akilah Sims combined for 73 points in Snider’s 83-74 win over Class A No. 1 Canterbury in the final game of Snider’s Kilmer Classic.

A Western Michigan recruit, Shipman went for a career-high 43 points and had 10 three-pointers, while Sims, an IUPUI recruit, added 30 points.

“Meredith was just on fire, and we kept getting her the ball,” Snider coach Ryan Gould said. “Akilah showed great patience in the second half, waiting for her opportunities, and she was able to beat them on the inside. They got a little tired, and she took advantage of that in the second half.”

Shipman scored 14 points in the first quarter, including four three-pointers.

“I just started feeling it, really,” Shipman said. “And everybody was like ‘Keep shooting it.’ I knew once I started to miss, I could dish the ball but fortunately that didn’t happen until late in the game.”

By halftime, she had 25. While she only had 18 in the second half, Sims picked up the slack with 24 points in the final two quarters after getting only six in the first half and committing three fouls.

“We did a great job on Sims in the first half, but Shipman just blew up on us,” Canterbury coach Scott Kreiger said. “In the second half, we had to make some adjustments there, and Sims got loose. That’s why Snider’s good – they have the kids in there that can make the plays.”

Shipman admitted to being fired up with her “friendly rivalry” with AAU teammate Bailey Farley from Canterbury.

“In practice for Spiece (2013 GymRats), we just go at it and at it,” Shipman said of playing against Farley. “That’s all we do. Playing against each other not on the same team is what we definitely need to make ourselves better.”

The Panthers (3-0) also beat Wabash 75-33 in the tournament that honored the late girls basketball coach at the school, Lamar Kilmer.

Canterbury (3-1) opened the tournament with a 67-49 win over Northrop. The Bruins also beat Wabash 42-39 in the four-team format.

“This shows us where we stand and how much heart we have and how much we have to work on to get better,” Shipman said of playing the early season tournament games.

Kindell Fincher led the Cavaliers with 21 points, Darby Maggard had 20 and Farley scored 16.

Snider outscored Canterbury 34-19 in the third quarter to lead 68-46, but the Cavaliers got to within nine before time ran out.

“We know what kind of scorers Canterbury has, and you can’t take a break on them,” Gould said.

“They won’t give up, and they never will. That’s why they have been as successful as they have been.”

The Cavaliers won three straight Class A state titles before losing in the semistate last season.

gjones@jg.net