The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
Last Friday night, February 11th, the Illini West Lady Chargers traveled to Camp Point Central to take on the Central-Southeastern Lady Panthers on their home court with the Regional Championship on the line. The first half of the game was mostly good defense on both ends of the court. It was close the whole first half which ended in a 12-12 score.
In the 3rd quarter C-SE scored the first two baskets, both by Ramsey, to take a 16-12 lead.
Rylee Reed hit a basket for the Chargers and Peters made a basket for the Panthers to make the score 14-18 Panther lead.
Hallie Ray and Madi Cole would score a bucket each to tie the score at 18-18.
Peters would sink a 3 pointer for the Panthers and after 3 quarters it was 18-21 Panther’s ahead.
After a Charger turnover to start the 4th quarter, Panther’s freshman Loren Miller scored a basket to give C-SE a 23-18 lead.
With under 5 minutes to go Charger freshman Reagan Reed stole the ball and went down the court for a basket.
Just seconds later Charger senior Caydee Kirkham would get a steal and score to bring the Chargers within one point at 22-23.
With under two minutes to go Hallie Ray would hit a jumper to give the Chargers a 24-23 lead. Lantz would immediately score at the Panther end of the court to give the Panthers the lead back at 24-25.
Charger Rylee Reed would grab an offensive rebound and score to put the Chargers back ahead at 26-25.
Panther’s freshman Loren Miller would hit a jumper to put the Panthers back ahead 26-27 with 49.3 seconds left. Two Charger missed shots and the Panthers had the ball back and a one point lead. The Chargers had to foul.
With just 5.3 seconds left in the game, Panther freshman Loren Miller hit two free throws for a 3 point lead at 26-29.
The Chargers hurried down court and Charger freshman Reagan Reed canned a 3 pointer at the buzzer for a 29-29 tie to send the game into overtime, and what a thrill!
In overtime both teams missed a shot and with 3:26 left the Panthers would miss a one and one free throw. The Chargers would turn the ball over. Reagan Reed would steal the ball but have her shot blocked. Both teams would commit a turnover.
With under one minute left Charger Rylee Reed would rebound a Charger shot and put it back up for 31-29 Charger lead.
Panther’s Marlow would make 1 of 2 free throws for a 31-30 score.
Chargers would get the rebound and with 10.4 seconds left Charger Caydee Kirkham was fouled. Kirkham sank both free throws for a 33-30 Charger lead.
The Panthers would get the ball down the court and got off a 3 point shot but missed the mark and the game ended with a 33-30 Charger victory.
For the Chargers, Caydee Kirkham scored 11 points, Reagan Reed added 8 points, Hallie Ray and Rylee Reed would each get 6 points, and Madi Cole scored 2 points. For the Panthers, Loren Miller led with 10 points, Lantz-7 points, Carly Peters-5 points, Summer Ramsey-4, Ippensen-2 and Marlow-1 point.
Illini West Lady Chargers traveled to Waverly Tuesday, Feb. 22 for a Sectional game vs Marquette/Alton. Illini West girls lost 28-35 ending the Chargers great season with an impressive 30-3 record setting a new school record in wins. Caydee Kirkham and Rylee Reed lead points with 8 each.
Regional Champs back left: Coach Grant Surprenant & 4th grade daughter Elliotte-water girl, Josie Bryan-11, Reagan Reed-10, Rylee Reed-30, Allison Hunter-14, Abbie Johnson-23, Hallie Ray-15, Delaina Lambert (injured #3), Coach Patrick and Coach Gooding. Front left: Madi Cole-4, Caydee Kirkham-2, Elly Krieg-22, Marie Desotel-21.