LITTLE CINCINNATI — The Sullivan girls basketball team traveled to Eastern Greene High school for the semi-finals of the IHSAA class 2A girls sectional basketball sectional 47 and ran into the buzzsaw that was The Paoli Rams.
The Rams used a strong second-half showing to end the Arrows’ season, 60-29.
The opening quarter was a good one for the Arrows as they got baskets from Jacie Wilson and Klaire Williams and a three-point basket by Lexis Drake. It gave Sullivan a 9-6 lead after the first 8 minutes of play.
The second quarter saw the lady Rams begin to heat up as they came storming back to gain their first lead of the night and they out scored Dullivan 14-9. It sent the game into the halftime break with the Rams up 20-18.
“We were real pleased where we were at the half," said Sullivan coach Julie Meeks. “We were just down two and we were in the game coming out of the break”.
For the opening half both teams shot 7 of 21 from the field for 33 percent shooting. The big key of the half Sullivan had eight turnovers to Paoli’s six. Sullivan won the first half battle of the boards 11-7.
The big difference Sullivan went 0-1 from the charity stripe and Paoli hit 4-4 and ended the game hitting 11-11.
The third quarter is where Sullivan ran into the buzz saw. Paoli scored the first 10 points of the half for a quick 28-18 advantage. Wilson stopped the run with a putback bucket, but the Rams finished the third on a 6-2 run and a 36-22 lead heading into the final period of play.
The final quarter was all Paoli as the Rams went a perfect 8 for 8 from the field including two from behind the arc. Paoli outscored the Arrows 24-7 in the final frame for the lopsided win.
For the game Sullivan was led in scoring by Wilson with 10 points, Williams and Drake had six each and Aphtyn Early added three points. The Rams had three players in double figure scoring as Jacklyn Crews led the game with 17, Carley Higgins 15 and Jericho Hopper had 10.
“We came out in the second half being where we needed to be but our wheels just fell off,” Meeks said. “In all the film we watch of them, they never hit as well as they did tonight. Higgins was making shots she hardly makes, but we just couldn’t get a run going. They're a good team and we wish them all the best Saturday night.”
When asked about saying goodbye to his seniors Wiltermood and Williams the coach added, ”they were super leaders. They took these young kids under their wings and were great leaders. I couldn’t have asked for better leaders then they are. We’ve got some very good young players coming back, if they work hard over the summer they can really improve.”
When asked about playing their last games for Sullivan, Williams said, “I really enjoyed my time on the team, we’re a family and that’s something special. I’ll cherish my time on this team and now look forward to softball season.
Wiltermood echoed her fellow senior teammate, “this group of youngsters, we just love them. They're fun to be around and they really worked hard. I’m going to miss them. The coaches were great too and we’ll miss them.”
Sullivan finished the season with a 15-10 record — its fifth straight winning campaign.
Paoli (16-11) lost in the title game to No. 1 ranked North Knox, 29-24 on Saturday night.
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