The Lady Blackhawks won the opening tip and struck first with a cutting Essenpries finding a basket. Flora would answer back with a 3 ball in the Lady Tigers first possession. Both teams came out running the court well and very quickly trading baskets. With 3 minutes off the clock, the Blackhawks had doubled up the Tigers, 10-5, forcing a Stockton time-out. Out of the time-out, the Blackhawks would put together a 9-4 run to close out the half with a 19-9 lead.
To kickoff the second round, Burchett hit a triple for the Tigers to pull back within 7 points. After Essempries made a pair of free throws, Burchett knocked down another three, this time to pull with 6, with a score of 21-15. The half ended with Natalie Essenpries hitting a shot at the buzzer to go into the locker room with a 27-17 Adrian lead.
After the intermission, Hughes sparked the scoring with a post bucket for the Blackhawks. Flora would answer back with a driving score of her own, triggering yet another bucket exchange by both teams. A tightly contested 3rd, would see the Lady Blackhawks outscore Stockton 15-12, allowing them to take a 42-29 lead into the 4th quarter.
In the final period, Burchett hit a 3 to pull the Bulldogs back within 10, 44-34. After an Adrian turnover, Flora would convert an and-one basketball to pull within 4, 46-42 with just under 3 minutes left. Henderson would get fouled while knocking down a layup, and would toe the line with a chance to bring the Lady Bulldogs within a single point. Henderson would miss the shot and Adrian would control the board, but after a Blackhawks mid at the other end, the Lady Tigers would drill a three to take a 2 point lead with under 2 minutes left in regulation. Out of a time-out, Natilee Essenpries would reclaim the Blackhawks lead, hitting a pair of free throws. With a one point lead, and under a minute to go, Martinez went to the line for the Blackhawks, she was able to sink 1 of 2. Stockton would drive to the basket and knot the score up at 49 a piece with right at 30 seconds to go.
With 7 seconds remaining in regulation, Stockton would call a time-out in hopes to draw up a game winning play. Out of the time-out, Flora would hammer a three at the buzzer at secure the 52-49 victory for the Lady Tigers.
The Blackhawks season now comes to an end, as the Lady Tigers battled back, at one point, trailing 15 points in the 4th quarter.
Flora led all scoring with 25 points for the Lady Tigers, hitting 3 of 5 from range. The Blackhawks were led by Riley Essenpries with 24 points. The Tigers will face the Bulldogs for the championship game.
The Blackhawks season now comes to an end, as the Lady Tigers battled back, at one point, trailing 15 points in the 4th quarter.
Flora led all scoring with 25 points for the Lady Tigers, hitting 3 of 5 from range. The Blackhawks were led by Riley Essenpries with 24 points. The Tigers will face the Bulldogs for the championship game.
