U-High advances to 2A regional finals

The Pioneers cruised to a win Tuesday night over Central Catholic to head to the 2A Regional Final.

NORMAL – Home-court advantage proved to be too much for the Central Catholic Saints on Tuesday night, as the U-High Pioneers won the 2A regional semifinal, 49-35, at U-High Gym.

After leading by nine at halftime, the Pioneers went on a 6-2 run to start the third quarter. U-High would eventually lead by as much as 16 in the third. That, coupled with a stifling Pioneer defense that only allowed the Saints to score 17 through three quarters, and Central Catholic just couldn’t keep up.

The Pioneers were led in scoring by sophomore Keida Batees-Diop with 12, while leading Central Catholic was Jake Rienhart and Jack Hester with 10 points each.

The Saints finish their season at 11-17, while the Pioneers will play the winner of Olympia and Tri Valley on Friday.

Winning coach Bob Fitzgerald had this to say after the victory: