Nashua South's Iruka Obinelo loses the handle thanks to a block by Nashua North's Tori Conrad during the Panthers' 41-34 win Saturday at the Belanger Gym. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Tired of looking up at Nashua High School North’s towering center Victoria Conrad, Iruka Obinelo decided a change was in order.

Why not move away from the basket and shoot? The strategy worked, as the Nashua South senior hit a 3-pointer and another field goal to help the Panthers pull away from the Titans, 41-34, to sweep the season series from their city rivals Saturday afternoon at the Belanger Gym.

“Those were great shots,I guess,” a humble Obinelo, who also had 13 rebounds and three steals, said. “But especially in our offense, where there’s a lot of openings up top. People aren’t expecting the bigs to shoot. … It was the first game we won on our own court, so it definitely feels very good.”

It was a tight game, with the Panthers up 19-15 at the half and 29-27 after three. Obinelo hit an earlier 3 to put the Panthers up 29-21, but Grace Cardin and Sam Canto hit treys to bring the Titans (2-7) back into things before quarter’s end.

However, Obinelo went to work and her 3-pointer with 3:25 left gave the Panthers their eight-point lead back, 37-29, and with the Titans struggling offensively, it was just too much to overcome.

“Yeah, I mean when their center steps out and hits a three, it changes the complexion of your defensive coverage,” North coach Curt Dutilley said. “Then you’ve got to adjust. I don’t know how often she does that. Maybe never.:”

“We’ve been telling (Obinelo), if they’re not going to come out and guard you, shoot it,” said South coach John Bourgeois, his team now 3-3. “We’re happy she’s gaining that confidence.”

Grace Cardin led North with 10 points, while Olivia Mazerolle added eight. Victoria Conrad was tough inside, finishing with as many blocks (five) as points.

“You could see girls getting timid as they go attack the rim with Conrad because she’s a great player,” Bourgeois said. “But we had to get over that fear quickly to play better in second half.”

South tried to push the ball more, forcing North to start running, and also used a pressure defense that did a lot of damage.

“The bottom line was our turnovers,” said Dutilley, who estimated close to 25 for his Titans. “In a high school girls game, you’re only getting 65 offensive possessions. You turn it over 25, a third of them, you’re not winning the game.”

North nemesis Julianna Martin added nine points and five boards to the South cause, while freshman Morgan Gillis perhaps came of age with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals. A Martin jumper stuck the dagger in with 35 seconds left.

“We’re proud of those two as they’ve been a staple in our offense and defense all year long,” Bourgeois said. “They work hard, they play off adrenalin, but they’re important for being leaders on our team.”

Obinelo just had to figure a way to win the battle vs. Conrad.

“It’s very hard to figure out a way to defend her, she’s obviously towering over me,” Obinelo said. “It’s a little bit of a challenge.”

One she and the Panthers were able to meet on Saturday.

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