Penn High School Girls Basketball: Sanderson’s game-winner leads Kingsmen past Valpo
Jillian Sanderson hits last-season game-winner for Penn Girls Basketball in season opener
All-State candidate Jillian Sanderson drove the length of the court and hit a jumper with :01.8 left to give Penn Girls Basketball a thrilling 53-52 overtime victory against Valparaiso in the season opener on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
Sanderson, a 5-foot-10 Sophomore Point Guard, put a spin move on two defenders in the lane and elevated for the game-winning shot. She finished with 19 points.
Junior Lexi Werner scored 15 points for Penn, and Sophomore post Makenzie Juszczak scored six points.
PENN 53: Lexi Werner 15, Jillian Sanderson 19, Makenzie Juszczak 6, Alexa Brisco 3, Knixley Brandy 2, Liv DeFauw 4, Alivia Dawson 2, Addison Hummel 2.
Valparaiso 52: Chapentier 2, Mekola 6, Bush 3, Brown 11, Morris 6, Kincaid 24.
PENN 16 30 42 48 53
Valparaiso 11 26 33 48 52
Three-pointers: PENN 9 (Jillian Sanderson 4, Lexi Werner 3, Alexa Brisco 1, Liv DeFauw 1), Valparaiso 5 (Mekola 2, Bush 1, Brown 1, Morris 1).