Hamilton Heights advanced to the championship game of Class 3A Sectional 24 at Blackford Friday with a 57-45 win over Jay County.
The Huskies slowly pulled away from a good Patriots team, which finished the season 16-9. Heights led 12-7 after the first quarter and 26-15 at halftime.
“We were really good that first half,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “Jay County’s really good.”
Cherry said his team guarded the Patriots in different ways – straight up, man-to-man – and did a great job defensively.
“The girls executed the game plan perfectly,” said Cherry. “The mentality that they showed tonight is what it takes to win championships.”
The Huskies were led in scoring by Kayla Kirtley, whose 17 points included three 3-pointers. Runner finished the game with 10 points and dished out six assists. Ana Collar pulled 10 rebounds to go along with eight points and four steals. Lexi Branham added eight points, plus five steals and four assists.
Lauryn Wiley’s eight points and Dissett’s six completed the Huskies scoring. Cherry was also pleased with the team’s rebounding, noting that Jay County is a good team on the boards.
“We did a good job on the backboard, too,” said Cherry. “They offensive rebound well as a team. They crash hard.”
Heights is now 18-7 for the season and will play Yorktown at 7:30 p.m. tonight for the sectional championship. The two teams played to double overtime on Jan. 18, with the Huskies winning in double overtime.
“We’re going to have our hands full,” said Cherry.”
Heights 57,
Jay County 45
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ana Collar 4-5 0-1 8 1
Bayleigh Runner 1-3 8-8 10 4
Kayla Kirtley 7-10 0-2 17 3
Lexi Branham 2-6 3-4 8 0
Lauryn Wiley 3-6 1-2 8 2
Payton Dissett 0-1 6-6 6 1
Totals 17-31 18-23 57 11
Score by Quarters
Heights 12 14 13 18 – 57
Jay County 7 8 14 16 – 45
Heights 3-point shooting (5-13) Kirtley 3-5, Branham 1-3, Wiley 1-3, Runner 0-1, Dissett 0-1.
Heights rebounds (17) Collar 10, Runner 2, Kirtley 2, Branham 1, Wiley 1, Dissett 1.