Defense ruled Thursday night in the Class 1A, Division II substate tournament.
Southern Coffey County High’s girls were especially stingy, allowing only 11 points in the first half against Crest High.
The Lady Titans were able to overcome a cold shooting night to fend off Crest 37-28.
The victory lifts Southern Coffey County (9-13) into today’s substate championship against Elk Valley. The Lions edged past Chetopa 46-43. The championship game will tip off at 6 p.m. in the Allen Community College gymnasium.
“The girls played hard throughout the game,” Lady Titan coach Jeff True said. “We were solid on defense.”
Southern Coffey County led 10-8 after one quarter before pulling out to a 19-11 second-quarter lead. The margin grew to 31-19 after three periods.
Kurston Gilliland drained a 3-pointer for Crest in the fourth quarter to lead to a nine-point outburst, while SCC connected on only one field goal and 4 of 10 free throws.
It was only enough to pull Crest to within nine when the buzzer sounded.
Sarah Webb paced the victors with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Martyna Hegwald followed with eight points, while Breanna Isch scored six and Kalyn Deal five.
Chenae Newkirk had five steals.
Brytton Strickler scored eight to lead the Lady Lancers. Gilliland followed with seven. Emmalee Seabolt scored five.
True noted SCC connected on only 19 percent (11 of 57) field goals.
“We need to do a better job” against Elk Valley, he said.
Crest (8-3-8-9—28)
SCC (10-9-12-6—37)
Crest (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Strickler 2-4-5-8, Gilliland 2/1-0-3-7, LaCross 0-2-3-2, Seabolt 2-1-2-5, Kellar 1-0-3-2, Covey 2-0-2-4. TOTALS: 9/1-7-19-28.
SCC (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Newkirk 0-1-3-1, Deal 1/1-0-2-5, Emmons 0-0-1-0, Mt. Hegwald 3-2-1-8, My. Hegwald 0-1-1-1, Webb 3-6-3-12, Brite 1-0-0-2, Alumbaugh 0-2-1-2, Isch 2-2-3-6. TOTALS: 10/1-14-14-37.
Lady Titans earn substate title berth
