LeRoy defeats Annawan in supersectional

LeRoy posing with their trophy and net after the win. (Photo by Mike Spaulding)

BLOOMINGTON – High school girls basketball had the Shirk Center near capacity Monday night, with a raucous crowd on hand to watch the LeRoy Panthers defeat the top-ranked Annawan Bravettes, 56-53.

It seemed to take the Panthers a few minutes to gather themselves and figure out the full-court press defense that Annawan was putting forth early. Once that happened, it was all LeRoy.

The Panthers used an up-tempo style play and some pinpoint shooting to loosen up the Annawan defense. In the first half LeRoy, found themselves shooting 60 percent from the field and on top of Annawan 26-20.

The second half featured multiple lead changes with both teams finding their offensive grooves and Annawan closing the gap to 39-38 at the end of the third quarter. During the fourth quarter LeRoy managed to keep Annawan from taking the lead by relying heavily on the hot shooting of Molly Marcum and Lauren Russell. With both teams out of fouls, Ashley Walker put the game on ice by hitting two clutch free throws with 13 seconds left.

LeRoy was led in scoring by Ashley Walker, who had 20 points and Molly Marcum chipped in 16 pints and a team high 9 rebounds. The Annawan Bravettes were led by Jordan Jackson, who finished the game with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The 56-53 win allows LeRoy to move deeper into the tournament and continue their best ever season.  The Panthers will be in action again Friday at the Shirk Center as they take on Freeport in the 1A semifinals at 12:15 p.m.

Wildcats fall in sectional

Normal West was also in action on Monday night, falling to Chatham Glenwood, 51-21, in the Class 3A Sectional at Taylorville.  Tia Robertson led Normal in scoring with 7 points and Jamie Loving had 7 rebounds.