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Sarah Carroll's statistics have to max out eventually.

The Cincinnati Christian forward, who leads Butler County in points (19.8 ppg) and rebounds (13.5 rpg), continued to defy statistical norms in Tuesday's 53-34 victory at Lockland.

The 5-foot-10 forward followed a 40-point performance against St. Bernard Saturday with a 25-point, 25-rebound onslaught against the Panthers.

With Carroll cordoning off the paint area, the Cougars (12-6, 8-4 Miami Valley Conference) capped off their first winning season in five years and secured the MVC Gray Division title.

Carroll's marked improvement over the past year has helped key the Cougars' success.

"(Carroll)'s stronger and much more mature," coach Ken Bashford said. "Everyone double teams her, and she still puts up amazing numbers."

"We've improved a lot (from last year)," Carroll said. "We run a faster-paced offense. We push it a lot more."

CCS never trailed against Lockland (11-10, 6-7 MVC). Leading 19-16, the Cougars blew the game open by scoring the final ten points of the first half.

The Cougars stifled Lockland's leading scorer, senior Dana Finney, who scored only eight points. Her lone three-pointer established a school record for three-pointers made in a career.

Tuesday's loss was the final game of the season for Lockland, which lost to Southeastern, 67-26, Monday in the first round of sectionals.

CCS, seeded fifth in its bracket, plays its first sectional game today against seventh-seeded New Miami (10-10) at Monroe High School. The Cougars split the season series with the Vikings, losing 51-49 on the road and winning 53-41 at home.

"They're a very physical team," Carroll said. "You have to work hard inside."

The game starts at 7 p.m.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5128 or edawisha@coxohio.com.