JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Central A&M; (16-13) defeated Kincaid South Fork in one Dieterich 1A Sectional semifinal, 54-50, on Tuesday, while CHBC defeated Neoga, 57-44, in the other. A&M; and CHBC will meet in an all-alphabet, Shelby Area, final on Thursday for the sectional championship.
A&M; was the first alphabet team to notch a semifinal win on Tuesday, and they did it on the strength of 13-of-13 free throw shooting, while South Fork made just 3-of-11, missing eight free throw in a 4-point loss.
Shelby Jackson led the Raiders with 19 points, scoring inside five times, stepping out for a triple and then getting to the line and making all six of her free throws. Genny Rose Stringer (14 points, two treys) got to the line once and made 2-of-2. Lyndi Minott (8 points, 1 trey) got to the line once and made 2-of-2. Allie Heaton, the regional final MVP with 20 points, got to the line on Tuesday and made 2-of-2. The final Raider to get the line was Amanda Collins. She made a basket, was fouled, and converted the 3-point play, making the solo free throw.
South Fork came out like they were on a mission in the first period, outscoing the Raiders 14-9. The Raiders had to respond to stay alive in the postseason and they did. They doubled their first period production in the second period, scoring 18 points and trimming the South Fork lead to a solo possession at the break, 30-27.
The third period was a lock-down defensive struggle, but the Raiders were able to cut the lead to just one point, heading into the fourth, 37-36. In crunch time, the Raiders stepped up and answered the call, out-pacing South Fork 18-13 and passing up the Ponies at the finish line.
With the gut-check win, the Raiders get a chance to avenge an early-season, home loss to CHBC, the other alphabet team that won on Tuesday night.
Dieterich 1A Regional
Central A&M; 54, South Fork 50
A&M; 9-18-9-18—54
So Fork 14-16-7-13—50
A&M; stats: Shelby Jackson 19 (5-2s, 1-3 pt FGs, 6/6 FTs), Genny Rose Stringer 14 93-2s, 2-3 pt FGs, 2/2 FTs), Lyndi Minott 8 (2-3 pt FGs, 2/2 FTs), Allie Heaton 6 (2 FGs, 2/2 FTs), Amanda Collins 3 (FG, 1/1 FTs), Sarah Bailey 2 (FG), Aly Dial 2 (FG). Team FGs 18 (5-3 pt: Stringer 2, Minott 2, Jakson 1). Team FTs 13-of-13.
So Fork stats: Britny Hoag 22 (11 FGs, 0/4 FTs), Stutsman 17 (4-2s, 3-3 pt FGs); Baker 3 FGs, 2/5 FTs), Vice 2 (FG), Klemme 1 (1/2 FTs). Team FGs 22 (3-3 pt: Stutsman 3). Team FTs 3-of-11.
CHBC (24-4), the South Central Regional champ, had played Neoga (20-10), the Neoga regional champ, twice thiis season and beat them both times by double digits.There was litle difference when they met for the third time. CHBC won by double-digits, 57-44.
The future is now for CHBC, which was led in scoring again by a freshman and the next four scorers in the game were sophomores.
Freshman Micah Jones, the reigning Daily Union Athlete of the Week, has peaked at the right time. She has led CHBC for the fourth straight game. She scored 24 points in a 3-point win over Dieterich to finish the regular season. She then scored 19 points against Dieterich in the regional. She scored 24 points again in the regional title 2-point win over Altamont, making the game-winning shot. Jones put up another 19-point effort on Tuesday, recording a double-double by adding ten rebounds.
Sophomore Faith Wendte followed Jones with 12 points, including a pair of treys. Sophomore Bailey Doty scored eight points, with the other two CHBC treys, sophomore Breeanna Strauch scored seven points and sophomore Courtney Myers scored five points. Senior team leader Hillary Shelton scored four points.
CHBC (24-4) plays A&M; (16-13) on Thursday for the Dieterich 1A Sectional title at 7:30 p.m.
Dieterich 1A Regional
CHBC 57, Neoga 44
CHBC 15-16-14-12—57
Neoga 16-6-10-12—44
CHBC stats: Micah Jones 19 (9 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Faith Wednte 12 (3-2s, 2-3 pt FGs, 0/2 FTs), Bailey Doty 8 (1-2, 2-3 pt FGs, 0/1 FTs), Breeanna Strauch 7 (3 FGs, 1/1 FTs), Courtney Myers 5 (2 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Hillary Shelton 4 (FG, 2/2 FTs), Monica Gardner 2 (FG). Team FGs 24 (49%). 3-Pointers: 4 (Doty 2, Wendte 2). Team FTs 5-of-10. Turnovers 17
Neo stats; Erica Hotze 15 (7 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Molly Tarter 10 (1-2, 2-3 pt FGs, 2/4 FTs), Amanda Baker 8 (4 FGs, 0/1 FTs), Ashley Deters 7 (2-2s, 1-3 pt FGs), Lauren Schumacher 2 (FG), Emma Baker 2 (FG). Team FGs 19 (32%). 3-pointers 3 (Tarter 2, Deters). Team FTs 3-of-7. Turnovers 12.
Lyndi Minott of A&M; (8), Sarah Burch of Okaw Valley (5) and Molly Tarter of Neoga (6) advanced in the 3-Point Showdown.
