The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Southern Topples Springfield St. Agnes
(IESA web site news update)
The excitement was still intense last Thursday for the IESA 8th grade Class A Southern Raider ladies as they headed into the third place finals after a disappointing loss the night before to Urbana who went on to become the state champions.
The loss sent Southern's team into the consolation game to battle for 3rd place against Springfield/St. Agnes.
In a fast pace first half, Media/Southern led at halftime 31-28. In the first quarter Media/Southern got off to a fast start outscoring Springfield/St. Agnes 19-12.
St. Agnes battled back in the second quarter to cut the lead to 3 at the half. Miriam Rutzen and Demi VanDerWal were battling it out for the lead scorer. Rutzen had 20 of Southern's first half points and VanDerWal had 18 of the Aces first half points.
In the second half of play both teams played hard. Southern outscored St. Agnes 14-13 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Demi VanDerWal fouled out of the game with 4 minutes to play and 23 points. She was the Aces leading scorer for the game. Kelsi Frank for St. Agnes hit two 3's with 3:52 to play to tie the ball game at 47 all.
Miriam Rutzen received the ball under the basket and powered up a lay-up for the basket and one. After Miriam made the free throw Southern never lost the lead again. Rutzen was the leading scorer of the game with 36 points.
Southern finished the season with a record of 24-1. This was the Raiders second third place trophy in the school's 8th grade history as they won third place last year in the 7th grade Class A State Tournament. The team is coached by Nancy Gibb, Assisted by Jamie Richard.