The temperature outside Western Boone at tipoff of the highly anticipated Sectional 43 showdown between Class 2A No. 6 University and No. 8 Cascade was a balmy 55 degrees
Inside the gym it was uncomfortably warm, but University’s shooting at the start of the game was frigid, with the Trailblazers not scoring for the 5:15 of the game as Cascade built leads of 8-0, 10-3 and 19-10.
In the fourth quarter University senior Patty Chikamba was red hot, scoring 15 fourth quarter points as the Trailblazers pulled away late for a 63-51 win in a contest that was closer than the final score.
Chikamba had a game-high 24 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, had six assists and seven steals as University pulled away from a 45-45 tie midway through the final period by outscoring the Cadets 18-6 in the last four minutes. Chikamba’s seven steals gave her 108 on the season, establishing a new University school record. She entered the game tied for the school record with Lily Snyder (2018-19 season) with 101 steals in a season.
Kelsey DuBois and Payton Seay each had 14 points to help pace the Blazers attack. DuBois had eight rebounds while Seay corralled seven missed shots.
University finally got on the board when DuBois hit a three pointer with 2:45 left in the opening stanza. Chikamba added a three pointer and scored a rebound basket before Seay scored with five seconds left to get University within 14-10 after one period despite missing several close in shots early in the game.
Cascade ran out to a 19-10 lead early in the second quarter forcing a University time out. The Blazers then grew in to the game, getting within two points at halftime. Kamryn Washington hit a pair of foul shots before Cascade pushed the lead back to 22-12. DuBois made another three pointer but Christina Lamb answered with a triple the Cadets still had a double-digit lead at 25-15 with 4:06 left in the half.
University went on a 10-2 run to end the half. Seay made a free throw then hit a three pointer. After Lamb made two foul shots, the Blazers scored the last six points on the half. Emily Adamowicz scored off a Chikamba assist, DuBois scored in the post and Seay scored on a layin with 47 seconds left to cut the Cascade lead to 27-25 at halftime.
University changed defenses at halftime and came out in a zone that caused Cascade trouble. Chikamba tied the game at 27 before Sydney Warren gave the Cadets their last lead of the night at 29-27. DuBois scored the next six points, including a pair of offensive rebound baskets to give University a 33-29 advantage. Cascade came right back with Lamb making two foul shots after an offensive rebound and Creedance Chittenden making a basket to knot the score at 33.
Seay hit a three pointer and then fed Chikamba for a basket to put the Blazers up 38-33. University had three possessions to try to extend the lead, but turnovers ended each of those possession. Crittenden made a three pointer with 10 seconds left in the third and University held a 38-36 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Jordan Patterson scored University’s first five points of the fourth quarter on a three pointer and two foul shots to give the Blazers a 43-39 advantage. The Cadets came right back with Lamb again making two free throws after an offensive rebound before Madison Short scored on a putback to tie the game at 43. Chikamba and Lamb traded baskets to put the count at 45-45 with four minutes remaining.
University went on top for good when Chikamba was fouled with 3:46 remaining and made both foul shots. Warren fouled out on the play, leaving with 11 points. Chikamba then made a steal and layin and a pair of foul shots to give her six points in 32 seconds and University had a 51-45 lead.
Washington made the defensive play of the game with 3:01 left, stealing the ball on the sideline and calling timeout before Cascade could tie her up for a held ball. University got Seay open deep on the inbound play for a layin and a 53-45 advantage. Chikiamba followed 14 seconds later with another steal and lay-in with 2:44 left.
University closed out the game at the foul line with Chikamba hitting three of four, Washington making both of her shots and Adamowicz splitting a pair with 48 seconds left. The scoring ended with yet another Chikamba steal and layin.
Patterson had five points and five assists. Washington was a perfect four for four at the charity stripes and Adamowicz had six key rebounds.
University improves to 19-4 on the season, ending a two game losing streak. Cascade bows out at 18-5. Lamb had 20 to lead Cascade.
University will meet Covenant Christian in Friday’s second semi-final game. University defeated Covenant Christian 57-24 on Jan. 6. Park Tudor will face host Western Boone in the first game.
UNIVERSITY 63, CASCADE 51
University FG FT TP PF
Kelsey DuBois 6-12 0-0 14 2
Patty Chikamba 8-17 7-8 24 3
Kamryn Washington 0-3 4-4 4 4
Payton Seay 5-15 2-5 14 3
Jordan Patterson 1-2 1-2 4 2
Emily Adamowicz 1-3 1-3 3 0
Totals 21-52 15-22 63 14
Score by Quarters
University 10 15 13 25 – 63
Cascade 14 13 9 15 – 51
University 3-point shooting (6-9) Seay 2-4, DuBois 2-2, Chikamba 1-2, Patterson 1-1.
University rebounds (37) Chikamba 10, DuBois 8, Seay 7, Adamowicz 6, Washington 4, Patterson 2.