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"You can't teach size," my dad always used to say. And when that size has the skills and abilities of Whitewater's Sarah Schumacher and Myriama Smith-Traore, it adds up to a devastating combination, which helped the Whippets to a 49-43 win over Xavier in the Division 3 state title game.

It appeared early foul trouble might derail Whitewater, as Schumacher and senior point guard Kailey Reynolds each picked up two fouls in the first quarter, which ended with Xavier holding a 13-12 edge.

Whitewater coach Judy Harms gambled and inserted both players back in the game in the second quarter, and it made an immediate difference. Reynolds hit a three-pointer and Schumacher scored five points in the period to put the Whippets up 25-22 at halftime.

The size advantage of Whitewater was negated for much of the game by Xavier, who attacked the middle of the Whippets zone to draw the bigs out of position for baskets inside and a 15-9 edge in offensive rebounds. 

Smith-Traore and Schumacher took over offensively in the fourth quarter however, combining for 12 points as the Xavier defense had no answer on the interior. Xavier actually led on two different occasions in the fourth, and trailed by just 3 with 37 seconds remaining, but Whitewater hit enough free throws and Xavier wasn't able to get on the board again.

Schumacher led the way with 18 points for Whitewater, while Smith-Traore added 17 points and 18 rebounds. 

Xavier senior Peyton Ufi was outstanding, scoring 18 and pulling down 13 rebounds, while Erin Powers added 12 points.

With the win, Whitewater capped off a perfect 28-0 season, claiming its first girls basketball title.